ASC and SIRC Partner to Advance the National Strategy for Indigenous Peoples’ Participation in Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation in Canada

Press Release

OTTAWA, ON — [January 29, 2026] — The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) and the Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC) are proud to announce a new strategic partnership to support national awareness and early mobilization of The Spirit of Sport – Active Together, A National Strategy for Indigenous Peoples’ Participation in Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation in Canada.

As a primary steward of the Strategy, the ASC is leading a collaborative, Indigenous-led approach to fostering meaningful participation opportunities for Indigenous Peoples in Canadian sport, physical activity, and recreation. Through this partnership, SIRC will work alongside the ASC to connect the sport sector, elevate understanding of the Strategy, and create accessible tools and resources that support collective action.

The Spirit of Sport – Active Together is a shared framework grounded in reciprocity, collaboration, and respect that invites Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations to move forward together. The Strategy recognizes that its success depends not on a single organization, but on sustained, collaborative implementation across all levels of sport, physical activity, and recreation over the next decade, and beyond.

Sharing the Strategy marks a critical milestone in the advocacy efforts of the ASC that have been ongoing since 2016. Its development began in 2022 with extensive consultation and research through gatherings in all regions of Canada. This National Strategy is also embedded within the pan-Canadian approach of the Canadian Sport Policy, endorsed in August 2025.

“This Strategy belongs to the entire sport system,” said Rob Newman President of ASC.“The ASC’s role is to steward this Indigenous vision and help guide its implementation alongside Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners. Working with SIRC allows us to broaden awareness, deepen understanding, and begin building the relationships and momentum needed to bring the National Strategy to life.”

The partnership will begin with a national awareness campaign to launch and generate engagement surrounding the National Strategy over the next two to three months. Activities will include a national digital campaign, sector-wide knowledge products, and in-person engagement opportunities designed to foster a shared understanding of the National Strategy and the ASC’s stewardship role.

“SIRC is deeply committed to supporting Indigenous-led strategies and strengthening how knowledge moves across the sport system, especially between the Indigenous and mainstream sport systems,” said SIRC CEO, Kim Gurtler. “This partnership reflects what we do best: connecting people, organizations, and ideas; and represents an initial step toward ongoing collaboration with the ASC to support Indigenous sport communities and the implementation of the National Strategy.”

Importantly, this initial phase is focused on awareness-building and shared understanding, laying the groundwork for collaborative implementation over the National Strategy’s 10-year horizon. Future phases will be shaped collectively with strategy stewards and sector partners, ensuring the work continues to reflect the principle of “nothing about us, without us.”

Together, the ASC and SIRC aim to ensure that The Spirit of Sport – Active Together is not only widely known but deeply understood to create clear pathways for action and foster a more inclusive, equitable, and collaborative sport ecosystem across Canada.

For more information about the Strategy and upcoming engagement opportunities, visit the ASC or SIRC websites.

For media inquiries contact:

Aboriginal Sport Circle
ascoffice@aboriginalsportcircle.ca

Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC)
Taylor Matthews
tmatthews@sirc.ca

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