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Minister Qualtrough announces investments in sport and physical activity opportunities for Indigenous communities

Press Release

From: Canadian Heritage

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in building strong and healthy communities through sport and physical activity.

Today, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, announced $12.65 million in investments through the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) program to support the creation of more sport and physical activity opportunities within Indigenous communities. Delivered through 115 projects, these investments will reach approximately 1,000 communities and 300,000 Indigenous people, including youth, women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people and persons with disabilities from coast to coast to coast. The announcement was made as part of a visit to the Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC). Through its Women’s Warrior program, the VNCF is promoting physical health for Indigenous women who have experienced violence.

The SSDIC program supports Indigenous peoples in being more active and healthier and helps them connect with culturally relevant sport and physical activity. Funded projects are Indigenous-designed and led.

Minister Qualtrough also highlighted the 2024–2026 call for applications, which is currently open under Streams 2 and 3 of the SSDIC. Up to $24.05 million is available for eligible sport projects serving Indigenous people, including youth, women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and persons with disabilities in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across the country.

Since 2019, and in partnership with Indigenous-led organizations and governments, the SSDIC program has reached hundreds of Indigenous communities across the country and continues to do so.

Quotes

“Our government is proud to invest in Indigenous-designed and led initiatives to improve access to sport opportunities for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Through the SSDIC program, we are working with Indigenous partners to break down barriers and increase participation so that everyone can lead healthy and active lifestyles.

—The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity

“The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) deeply appreciates the ongoing commitment Sport Canada has to the Sport and Social Development in Indigenous Communities funding. Stream two supports community activities that increase the opportunities for Indigenous participants to take part in sport and achieve social development goals, while Stream three helps Indigenous-led projects that directly focus on and support the improved mental and physical health of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Both are a critical part of the much-needed response to Indigenous calls for action and justice. Both streams of funding will support the ongoing growth and improvement of Indigenous-led sports, physical activities and recreational programs, fostering the development of leadership and relationship-building skills, and enhancing the mental and physical well-being of Indigenous youth across the nation.”

—Vanessa McGregor, Interim Executive Director, Aboriginal Sport Circle

“Supporting the Women’s Warriors participants in reclaiming their sense of self and visioning what a community free of family violence would look, sound, and feel like has many profound impacts. When we strengthen Indigenous women, we strengthen the foundations of our families and our whole community. As we strive to serve individuals, family, and community in Greater Victoria and beyond, this work is one strong link in an ever-growing chain of successful programs proudly delivered by the VNFC.”

— Ron Rice – Wush’q M.G.C., Executive Director, Victoria Native Friendship Centre

Quick facts

  • Sport for social development is defined as the intentional use of sport or physical activity to achieve social outcomes.
  • The Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities program is focused on supporting positive outcomes in the areas of health, education, at-risk behaviour and/or employability, consistent with priorities set out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action 7, 19 and 38, and with Calls for Justice 3.1 and 7.3 of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
  • Of the $24.05 million available for 2024–2026, as much as $10.6 million will be invested in the 13 Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies (PTASBs), which deliver sport for social development projects, and to the ASC, which provides leadership and support to the PTASBs for their delivery of the SSDIC programming. In addition, Indigenous governments, communities and not-for-profit organizations will receive as much as $13.45 million in funding to deliver sport for social development projects in Indigenous communities in Canada.
  • Sport Canada recently completed a national public opinion research project to review the SSDIC program. It was led by an Indigenous external research firm, in collaboration with Indigenous researchers. This program review consulted with Indigenous stakeholders on how SSDIC should be designed and delivered to Indigenous governments, communities, and organizations as well as how the funding should be distributed to PTASBs and to the ASC. These recommendations are implemented within this call for proposals.
  • The SSDIC funding is distributed via three streams:Stream One: $5.3 million is available annually to the 13 PTASBs and the ASC to support their capacity and to provide opportunities for Indigenous peoples to participate in meaningful sport activities that support one or more of the Stream One social development goals. Drawn from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action, the Stream One social development goals focus on improved health, education and employability, and the reduction of at-risk behaviour. The deadline to submit applications for funding was February 26, 2024.
  • Stream Two: $3.6 million is available annually for Indigenous governments, communities and not-for-profit organizations to provide opportunities for Indigenous peoples, including people with a disability, to participate in meaningful sport activities that support one or more of the Stream Two social development goals. Drawn from the TRC Calls to Action, the Stream Two social development goals focus on improved health, education and employability, and the reduction of at-risk behaviour. The deadline to submit applications is March 11, 2024.
  • Stream Three: $2.5 million is available annually to provide opportunities for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people to participate in meaningful sport activities that support one or more of the Stream Three social development goals. Drawn from the Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the Stream Three social development goals focus on: physical and mental health, suicide prevention, sexual trafficking awareness and prevention, safe and healthy relationships, and sexual positivity (2SLGBTQI+). The deadline to submit applications is March 25, 2024.

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Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

John Fragos
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity
438-453-6913
john.fragos@pch.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca

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