Athlete Support

Sport for Life

Sport means different things to different Indigenous people and groups. For many Indigenous people, the primary purpose of sport is to build self-esteem among youth. Sport and activity gives youth a sense of purpose and direction, and, in some cases, helps them to engage in more appropriate activity during their free time while they find their way in the world.

In the Truth and Reconciliation Report (2015), sport and recreation are identified as tools for social development to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. This is the underlying rationale for this resource - to save lives and to build healthier Indigenous people, who contribute to healthier communities. A by-product of that is more Indigenous athletes pursuing sport excellence and standing on top of the podium. This resource seeks to provide guidance for that sport journey - from the playground to the podium - and everywhere in between.

To create the best experience in Indigenous sport and recreation, we need to recognize that many parts of Canada's mainstream sport pathway do not reflect the needs and cultural priorities of Indigenous peoples. Accordingly, the Indigenous Long-Term Participant Development Pathway presents a framework that tries to respond to their real needs and goals.

To book a workshop, contact: jcarpenter@aboriginalsportcircle.ca