Tickets Now on Sale for the 2026 National Indigenous Sports Gala

October 1, 2026

Ted Nolan will join Indigenous athletes, coaches and community members at the October 24 event in Ottawa

OTTAWA, October 1 - Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 National Indigenous Sports Gala, taking place October 24 in Ottawa, and featuring guest speaker Ted Nolan.

Hosted by the Aboriginal Sport Circle, the annual Gala brings together Indigenous athletes, coaches, leaders, families and partners from across the country. The evening will include the presentation of the prestigious Tom Longboat Awards and the National Indigenous Coaching Awards.

The Tom Longboat Awards recognize outstanding Indigenous athletes from every province and territory, with two recipients selected for national honours. The National Indigenous Coaching Awards recognize coaches for their leadership, dedication and contributions to Indigenous athletes and communities.

"Recognition matters. When Indigenous young people see athletes and coaches from their own communities celebrated nationally, they see that their talent, leadership and culture belong at every level of sport," said Jacyln Guenette, Executive Director, Aboriginal Sport Circle. "This Gala honours exceptional achievement but its impact reaches even further: it builds pride, strengthens pathways and inspires the next generation. This year, we are honoured to welcome Ted Nolan, who has spent his career demonstrating the kind of leadership we are gathering to celebrate."

A proud member of Garden River First Nation, Nolan is a former NHL player and celebrated coach who received the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year in 1996. He also led the Latvian men's national ice hockey team at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.

Beyond the rink, Nolan established the Ted Nolan Foundation, which has raised millions of dollars for scholarships supporting Fist Nations women across Canada. Through 3Nolans, founded with his sons Brandon and Jordan, he has helped bring hockey schools to First Nations communities across the country. Nolan is also the bestselling author of Life in Two Worlds and has been appointed to the Order of Canada and inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame with the Order of Sport.

The evening will be hosted by Janelle Niles, a Two-Spirit Black-Mi'kmaq comedian, television personality and producer from Sipekne'katik First Nation. Niles has appeared at festivals including Just for Laughs and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and is the creator and producer of Got Land?, an Indigenous comedy show.

Guests will also enjoy performances by SpiritWolf Singers, a group of longtime singers who share a love of the drum, the healing medicine of song and the continuation of cultural traditions, and Gunner Sparvier, a gifted young musician, athlete and community leader from Cowessess First Nation.

The Gala will bring together award recipients, families, Indigenous sport leaders, partners and community members for an evening or recognition, performance and celebration.

Event details
Date: Saturday, October 24
Location: Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, 200 Coventry Road, Ottawa, ON K1K 4S3
Doors open: 5:30 p.m.
Gala, dinner and awards: 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: National Indigenous Sports Gala / Gala National du Sport Autochtone Tickets, Saturday, October 24 • 6 PM - 9 PM | Eventbrite

Guests are encouraged to reserve their seats early for one of Canada's foremost celebrations of Indigenous athletes, coaches and leadership in sport.

About the Aboriginal Sport Circle
The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is Canada's national voice for Indigenous sport, physical activity and recreation. Working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners across the country, ASC advances equitable opportunities for Indigenous peoples to participate, compete and lead through sport. Guided by its provincial and territorial member organizations, ASC supports athlete and coach development, community wellness and national advocacy to strengthen Indigenous sport systems and communities. As steward of the National Strategy for Indigenous Peoples' Participation in Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation in Canada, ASC is the franchise holder for the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) and leads the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC). www.aboriginalsportcircle.ca

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Contact:
Julie Hawrishok, Communications Manager, Aboriginal Sport Circle
613-451-2785
jhawrishok@aboriginalsportcircle.ca

 

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