News and Media

Honouring Excellence Across Indigenous Sport: 2026 Award Nominations Now Open

June 1, 2026

The Aboriginal Sport Circle invites nominations for the National Indigenous Coaching Awards and Tom Longboat Awards

Membertou to Host National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in May 2027

May 6, 2026

Elite U18 Indigenous hockey players from across Canada to compete in six-day national tournament celebrating sport, culture, and community

Aboriginal Sport Circle Welcomes Federal Investment in Sport, Highlights Opportunity for Indigenous Sport Systems

May 1, 2026

Investment creates opportunity to strengthen Indigenous-led sport systems and expand equitable access for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across Canada

Aboriginal Sport Circle Announces Jaclyn Guenette as New Executive Director

May 1, 2026

The Board of Directors of the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jaclyn Guenette as Executive Director, effective June 1, 2026.

National Indigenous Sport Strategy Launch Marks Milestone in Ottawa

February 19, 2026

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) officially launched The Spirit of Sport - Active Together, a National Strategy for Indigenous Peoples' Participation in Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation in Canada, at an event held in Ottawa on February 18.

ASC and SIRC partner to advance the National Strategy for Indigenous Peoples' Participation in Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation in Canada

January 30, 2026

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) and the Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC) are proud to announce a new strategic partnership.

The ASC announces the bid process for the 2028 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC)!

September 15, 2025

NOW OPEN: Applications for the Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program (AACP) for the 2027 Canada Games!

September 8, 2025

The bid process is now open for the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) 2027!

September 2, 2025

Join our Board of Directors

August 15, 2025

On behalf of our Directors, members, and national office staff, thank you for your interest in joining our Board.

ABORIGINAL SPORT CIRCLE ANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE 2025 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS SPORTS GALA

July 14, 2025

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to announce that sponsorship opportunities are now open for the 2025 National Indigenous Sports Gala.

2025 National Indigenous Sports Gala

July 2, 2025

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to announce that the 2025 National Indigenous Sports Gala will take place on October 25, 2025, in Ottawa, Ontario.

The ASC is pleased to open nominations for the 2025 National Indigenous Coaching Awards and Tom Longboat Awards

June 2, 2025

The Aboriginal Sport Circle is pleased to open nominations for the 2025 National Indigenous Coaching Awards and Tom Longboat Awards.

Save the date: National Indigenous Sports Gala!

May 29, 2025

Save the date! The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) will be holding the 2025 National Indigenous Sports Gala on October 25, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario.

Regina to Host the 23rd National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in May 2026

May 9, 2025

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to announce Regina, Saskatchewan as the host city for the 23rd National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC).

Call for Sponsors: The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) Launches First-Ever Indigenous Women+'s Leadership Initiative!

January 23, 2025

Aboriginal Sport Circle Congratulates Recipients of our 2024 Indigenous Athletic and Coaching Awards

December 23, 2024

As the holiday season approaches, the Aboriginal Sport Circle wishes Indigenous athletes and coaches every success in 2025!

National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) Announces 2025 Board Chairs

December 20, 2024

The National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) are proud to unveil the leadership team guiding the 2025 championship.

The bid process is now open for the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships 2026!

December 11, 2024

The ASC is excited to announce that the bid process for hosting the 2026 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships is now open!

2025 ABORIGINAL APPRENTICE COACHING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

October 29, 2024

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC), together with the Canada Games Council and the Coaches Association of Canada, is pleased to announce the participants selected for the 2025 Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program (AACP).

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) Announces First-Ever National Indigenous Sports Gala: Celebrating Indigenous Sporting Excellence

October 23, 2024

The ASC is proud to announce the first-ever National Indigenous Sports Gala, set to take place November 23rd, 2024. This inaugural event will take place on the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation.

Aboriginal Sport Circle Welcomes New and Returning Board Directors

October 7, 2024

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to welcome all new and returning Directors to its Board. Four Directors were elected at the ASC's Annual General Meeting on September 20th.

Canada Basketball and Aboriginal Sport Circle partner to launch the inaugural National Indigenous Basketball Camp

September 18, 2024

Canada Basketball, in partnership with the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) and all associated Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies (PTASB), announced today the launch of the inaugural NIBC.

ASC: The Aboriginal Sport Circle congratulates Indigenous athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics

July 26, 2024

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is thrilled to congratulate Indigenous athletes representing Team Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympics and wishes them every success at the Games.

ASC Board of Directors Expression of Interest

July 23, 2024

The Board of Directors is the legal governing authority for the ASC. The Board of Directors consists of eight (8) Directors, including a President and Vice-President, both of whom also serve as Officers.

THE ABORIGINAL SPORT CIRCLE (ASC) IS HONOURED TO ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF REGIONAL TOM LONGBOAT AWARDS

July 15, 2024

Continuing this long-standing tradition, the ASC is pleased to announce the launch of this year's nominations.

THE ASC IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF THE 2024 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS COACHING AWARDS

June 25, 2024

The National Indigenous Coaching Awards, delivered annually, were developed to recognize the outstanding commitment and contributions of Indigenous coaches to sport in Canada.

THE ABORIGINAL SPORT CIRCLE ANNOUNCES BRITISH COLUMBIA AS THE HOST OF THE 2025 NATIONAL ABORIGINAL HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS

May 10, 2024

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to announce that the host of the 22nd National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) will be Kamloops, British Columbia.

Aboriginal Sport Circle Proudly Presents the 21st National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

May 1, 2024

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is thrilled to announce the upcoming National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC). The 21st Championships will be hosted in Grande Prairie, Alberta, from May 6 to 11, 2024.

ABORIGINAL SPORT CIRCLE ANNOUNCES THE 2023 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS COACHING AWARD RECIPIENTS

October 30, 2023

The Aboriginal Sport Circle is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 National Indigenous Coaching Awards. This year's recipients are Tyndall Fontaine of Manitoba and Savanna Smith of British Columbia.

Aboriginal Sport Circle Announces the 2023 Tom Longboat Awards Recipients

September 22, 2023

The Aboriginal Sport Circle is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Tom Longboat Awards. This year's winners are Trina Ross and Connor Church, both of Manitoba.

ASC Board of Directors Expression of Interest

August 11, 2023

The Board of Directors is the legal governing authority for the ASC. The Board of Directors consists of eight (8) Directors, including a President and Vice-President, both of whom also serve as Officers.

The bid process is now open for the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships 2025!

June 23, 2023

We invite you to share with your networks.

THE ABORIGINAL SPORT CIRCLE CONGRATULATES ALBERTA AS THE 2024 NATIONAL ABORIGINAL HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS HOST

May 19, 2023

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to announce the host for the 21st Annual National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC): Grande Prairie, Alberta. The event will take place May 5 - 11, 2024, at the Design Works Centre.

The ASC Welcomes the 20th National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

May 2, 2023

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to sponsor the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) hosted in Winnipeg, Manitoba from May 7 to 13.

THE TOM LONGBOAT NATIONAL AWARDS 2023

April 15, 2023

The nomination period is April 15, 2023 to June 30, 2023.

National Aboriginal Hockey Championships 2024

January 12, 2023

The ASC is seeking a Host Community to serve as the location for the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in May 2024.

ASC Governance Review - RFP

December 21, 2022

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (the "ASC") wishes to engage a consultant or consulting firm (the "Consultant") to facilitate and prepare a governance review (the "Project") for the ASC.

ASC Board of Directors Expression of Interest

July 28, 2022

We hope you will put forward a nomination to be considered and potentially join us in this important work.

2023 North American Indigenous Games

July 27, 2022

Indigenous Official Mentorship Program Guidelines

THE ASC IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF THE 2022 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS COACHING AWARDS

June 22, 2022

The National Indigenous Coaching Awards are delivered annually in partnership with the Coaching Association of Canada. These awards were developed to recognize the outstanding commitment and contributes of Indigenous coaches to sport in Canada.

THE ABORIGINAL SPORT CIRCLE ANNOUNCES WINNIPEG AS THE 2023 NATIONAL ABORIGINAL HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS HOST

May 15, 2022

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to announce the host for the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) has been awarded to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Aboriginal Sport Circle Appoints Matthew Tapper as Chief Executive Officer

May 3, 2022

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Tapper as the organization's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 9, 2022.

2023 Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program (AACP)

March 23, 2022

The Aboriginal Sport Circle, along with the Canada Games Council and the Coaches Association of Canada are pleased to highlight the coaches selected to participate in the 2023 Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program (AACP).

2023 Canada Games Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program

December 2, 2021

ASC is pleased to announce that the intake for the 2023 Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program is now open

Aboriginal Sport Circle welcomes new and returning board of directors

November 2, 2021

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to welcome three new Directors and two re-elected Directors to the ASC Board of Directors

ABORIGINAL SPORT CIRCLE ANNOUNCES THE 2021 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS COACHING AWARD RECIPIENTS

November 1, 2021

The Aboriginal Sport Circle is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 National Indigenous Coaching Awards.

Membertou is thrilled to welcome back the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship in May 2022

October 27, 2021

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to announce the host for the 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC)

Aboriginal Sport Circle Announces the 2021 Tom Longboat Awards Recipients

September 9, 2021

This year's winners are Kerri Einarson and Conner Roulette, both of Manitoba.

The ASC is excited to announce the launch of the 2021 Tom Longboat Awards

June 9, 2021

The Tom Longboat Awards were established in 1951 to recognize Aboriginal athletes for their outstanding contributions to sport in Canada.

RICHARD LUSH AND VERONICA MCDONALD RECIPIENTS OF PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL INDIGENOUS COACHING AWARD

November 4, 2020

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is honoured to present the 2020 National Indigenous Coaching Awards (NICA).

WITH COVID-19, INDIGENOUS CULTURAL AWARENESS TRAINING COURSE OPENS DIGITAL CLASSROOM

September 28, 2020

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is proud to announce an exciting new partnership that offers virtual Indigenous cultural awareness training to sports organizations across Canada.

Aboriginal Sport Circle Welcomes New Board of Directors

September 23, 2020

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to welcome 3 new and 2 returning members to its Board of Directors.

The 2021 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships Cancelled Due to Uncertainty of COVID-19

September 22, 2020

The ASC cancelled NAHC's 2020 event, in alignment with Hockey Canada, who cancelled of all their own sanctioned events.

Ross Powless inducted into Canada's Sport Hall of Fame

June 1, 2020

Canada's Sport Hall of Fame announced the Class of 2020/21 inductees on May 27, 2020. Inductees will receive the Order of Sport award, Canada's highest sporting honour.

The ASC is excited to announce the launch of the 2020 National Indigenous Coaching Awards

May 22, 2020

National coaching awards for indigenous excellence in sport.

An update from ASC President on COVID-19

March 24, 2020

As many of you know, COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the way of life as we know it. We have all been impacted in one way or another by this global pandemic.

ASC announces cancellation of 2020 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

March 13, 2020

On March 12th, the ASC was advised of Hockey Canada's cancellation of all sanctioned events until further notice.

Covid-19 Update

March 11, 2020

Earlier today, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a pandemic and called on leadership around the world to focus on prevention, preparedness, public health, political leadership and most of all, people.