The Ontario government is investing $5.2 million into hundreds of Indigenous-led programs that connect First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples to recreational and high-performance sport, including multi-sport camps, coaching clinics and leadership programming.

The funding is specifically geared to three programs, including:

• $1.3 million for the Sport Pathway for Ontario Native Wellness, delivered in partnership with Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO). Since 2018, the program has reached more than 36,000 participants through multi-sport camps, athlete and coach development clinics, tournaments, family wellness programs, sport equipment grants and opportunities to compete at the North American Indigenous Games and National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.
• $1.45 million for the Community Aboriginal Recreation Activator (CARA) Program, supporting up to 27 First Nations to hire a recreation “Activator” to plan and deliver community-driven sport, recreation and physical activity programming for people of all ages. Since 2018-19, more than 67,000 First Nations community members have participated in sport and recreation activities through the program.
• $2.5 million for Youth Cultural Camps (YCC), supporting 10 Indigenous organizations and communities to deliver cultural, language and leadership programming through experiential and land-based activities. To date, the program has supported approximately 2,700 camps and programs, benefiting more than 78,000 Indigenous youth.

“Meaningful reconciliation is rooted in partnerships and the empowerment of Indigenous youth and communities,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. “Investments in Indigenous-led sport, recreation and cultural programs will enhance opportunities for Indigenous youth to build confidence, grow as leaders and engage in critical networks, now and well into the future.”