Background, Development & Vision

How this Strategy Came to Be

In the fall of 2021, the Aboriginal Sport Circle was entrusted with developing a National Strategy for Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation in Canada - a milestone in an advocacy effort that had been underway since at least 2016. Over three and a half years, the ASC engaged with individuals, communities, and organizations across every region of Canada, explored key issues, and facilitated both in-person and virtual national meetings and gatherings.

This wealth of knowledge was carefully consolidated, addressing gaps and analyzing critical challenges. The process culminated in the formal report Phase 1: Reimagining Our Future, submitted to Sport Canada in the spring of 2024. The framework established in that report was further strengthened and refined, leading to the creation of the National Strategy as it stands today: The Spirit of Sport - Active Together.

Embedded in Canadian Sport Policy

For the first time, Indigenous needs and interests are integrated across the entire Canadian Sport Policy (2025-2035) - and the National Strategy is embedded within it (page 21). This historic step places the strategy alongside Canada's most influential sport frameworks, ensuring it directly shapes federal, provincial, and territorial decisions. Every action taken by FPT governments - and, through them, the Canadian sport sector - will be guided by, aligned with, and strengthened by the National Strategy.

The Vision

The National Strategy envisions a future where all Indigenous peoples in Canada - across all ages, abilities, and regions - have access to meaningful opportunities that inspire hope, foster well-being, and strengthen communities and Indigenous nationhood. This future is shaped by Indigenous needs and interests, ensuring a self-determined Indigenous sport, physical activity, and recreation system that prospers alongside, and at times connects with, an inclusive Canadian system.

At the heart of this strategy is the recognition and restoration of Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. This includes revitalizing Indigenous sports, games, and land-based activities, while integrating cultural values and teachings that support holistic well-being.

Once implemented, the National Strategy will serve as a powerful framework for collaboration, empowering stakeholders to build alliances, share best practices, and enhance operational capacity. A proposed tenfold increase in investment will be a game-changer for the entire sport, physical activity, and recreation sector.

ASC as Strategy Stewards

While the ASC will assume key responsibilities in this ten-year journey, The Spirit of Sport - Active Together extends far beyond any single organization. As the steward and advocate of this strategy, the ASC will lead the charge by partnering with stakeholders to develop and implement action plans, monitor progress, and make necessary adjustments along the way.

Community Consultation Timeline

Built with Communities - Over Three and a Half Years

Period / Date	Milestone
2016	Advocacy for a national Indigenous sport strategy begins - ASC and partners identify the need for a dedicated framework at the national level
Fall 2021	The Aboriginal Sport Circle is formally entrusted with developing the National Strategy by Sport Canada
Winter 2022	Development begins: research phase launches, regional engagement strategy established
2022-2023	Multi-year consultation underway - in-person and virtual engagement sessions held across all regions of Canada; input gathered from athletes, coaches, Elders, community leaders, sport administrators, and organizations
2023-2024	Knowledge consolidation: findings from consultations synthesized, gaps addressed, critical challenges analyzed, and draft framework developed
Spring 2024	Phase 1: Reimagining Our Future formally submitted to Sport Canada
2024-2025	Framework strengthened and refined based on Phase 1 feedback; National Strategy finalized
February 2026	The Spirit of Sport - Active Together officially launched as Canada's National Strategy for Indigenous Peoples' Participation in Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation
2026-2036	Implementation decade begins - ASC serves as strategy steward, partnering with governments, sport bodies, and communities to advance the five strategic focus areas

Who We Consulted

Built with Communities Across Canada

The Spirit of Sport - Active Together was developed through multi-year consultations with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals, communities, and organizations from coast to coast to coast. The process of preparing the National Strategy spanned three and a half years, engaging 750 people and over 100 organizations, governments, communities, institutions and other bodies across 13 provinces. In particular, these conversations included five national Indigenous organizations and seven national sport organizations, as well as four advisory group meetings and four national summits with provincial and territorial Indigenous sport bodies, along with engagements with individuals and sectors relevant to Indigenous sport.

The Five Strategic Focus Areas

Advocacy and Awareness

Description	Amplifying Indigenous voices in sport and building the public and political will for systemic change. This focus area calls for persistent advocacy to governments at all levels and for raising awareness of Indigenous sport across Canada.
Key Priorities	1. Advance implementation of TRC Calls to Action 87-91 2. Elevate Indigenous athlete and community stories in national media 3. Build public understanding of the barriers Indigenous peoples face in sport

Relationships and Partnerships

Description	Building genuine, sustained, and reciprocal relationships between Indigenous sport organizations and governments, sport bodies, funders, and communities. True partnership means shared decision-making, not just shared branding.
Key Priorities	1. Deepen collaboration with provincial/territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies 2. Engage national sport organizations as active implementation partners 3. Formalize long-term partnership agreements with federal and provincial governments

Leadership and Capacity Building

Description	Growing the next generation of Indigenous sport leaders - coaches, administrators, officials, and community champions - and strengthening the organizational capacity of Indigenous sport bodies at every level.
Key Priorities	1. Expand Indigenous coaching development programs and pathways 2. Build governance and operational capacity of PTASBs 3. Recognize and celebrate Indigenous sport leadership nationally

Participation

Description	Increasing meaningful participation in sport, physical activity, and recreation for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples at all levels - from community recreation to high-performance athletics - by removing systemic barriers and creating culturally relevant opportunities.
Key Priorities	1. Address geographic, financial, and infrastructural barriers to participation 2. Create and resource culturally safe sport environments and Indigenous games programming 3. Support athlete development pathways from community to elite competition

Sustainable Investments

Description	Securing the long-term, adequate, and predictable funding that Indigenous sport organizations, athletes, coaches, and communities need to thrive - and advocating for systemic change in how public investment in sport is allocated and sustained.
Key Priorities	1. Advocate for multi-year, stable base operating funding for ASC and PTASBs 2. Build the case for capital investment in sport infrastructure in Indigenous communities 3. Engage the private sector and philanthropy as partners in Indigenous sport investment

National Strategy

THE SPIRIT OF SPORT - ACTIVE TOGETHER