Indigenous Peoples
The Situation in Canada
Sport means different things to different Indigenous peoples and groups. For many Indigenous peoples, 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 well-being of individuals and communities. This is the underlying rationale for this resource – to save lives and to build healthier Indigenous peoples, 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.
How Sport for Life Supports Indigenous Peoples
The Indigenous Long-Term Development Pathway resource presents a roadmap for developing sport and physical activity among Indigenous peoples. It is a reference for those who work with Indigenous participants in sport and recreation. The Indigenous Long-Term Participant Development Pathway has grown out of the understanding that mainstream pathways for sport development do not necessarily align with Indigenous needs or experiences. As such, the Indigenous Long-Term Participant Development Pathway tries to address that gap by outlining the key elements that need to be considered when planning, developing, and implementing programs for and with Indigenous peoples and Indigenous communities.
Resources and Links
- Indigenous Sport for Life Resources and Workshops Overview
- Indigenous Communities: Active for Life
- Indigenous Communities: Active for Life Workshop
- Indigenous Long-Term Participant Development Pathway
- Indigenous Long-Term Participant Development Pathway Workshop
- Indigenous Long-Term Participant Development Pathway – Sport Organization Guide
- Aboriginal Sport Circle
- Indigenous Sport for Life Updates – Spring 2017
- Provincial/Territorial Indigenous Sport Contacts
Stories
- Indigenous athlete stories from the Competition Guide
- Seven inspiring stories from the North American Indigenous Games
- ‘Lacrosse, to us, is life’: Women’s box lacrosse makes historic debut at North American Indigenous Games
- Stories of Barriers Facing Indigenous Involvement in Mainstream Sport
- The Development Stories of Indigenous Champions
