Federal cash flows to Indigenous-led sports programs

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This article was published 29/01/2025 (279 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Six Indigenous organizations in Winnipeg will soon get more than $1 million in federal funding to operate sports and recreation programs.

The funds are part of more than $24 million over two years for 119 Indigenous-led projects, to be announced in Winnipeg today by Sport Minister Terry Duguid.

“(This funding) will expand access to sports and physical activities for communities from coast to coast to coast,” Duguid said Tuesday.

The program, which was one of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis in “building strong and healthy communities across the country.”

“Sports has a power to do that,” he said. “We know that sports brings people together, particularly for young people, builds esteem and is great for physical health as well as mental health.

“One of the important things to mention is that these individual initiatives have come from the communities themselves. They are Indigenous-led and designed and therefore will be well received by communities and be able to have positive results.”

In Winnipeg, the organizations receiving funding include: Neemu-Egwah Inc.’s project for traditional dance ceremonies, 2Spirit Manitoba’s plan to give two-spirited people access to sweat lodge ceremonies and drum groups and Ikayuqtiit Incorporated’s program that increases mental and cultural wellness through activities such as canoeing and igloo building.

The funding comes from Ottawa’s Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities program.

Past recipient organizations have included Shawenim Abinoojii and the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca