Aboriginal Sport Development is designed to increase access to and develop sport programs and leadership opportunities for Saskatchewan's Aboriginal people. Aboriginal Sport Development policies and initiatives are guided by the "Building a Foundation for the Future" strategy and are managed by the Aboriginal Sport Leadership Council, which provides advice and recommendations to Sask Sport Inc.

Aboriginal Sport Development: A Four-Year Strategy, "Building a Foundation for the Future"

This strategy is a "call to action" that seeks to further mobilize a successful volunteer sport system in support of the Aboriginal community. It recognizes that this mobilization must occur in partnership with Aboriginal organizations and communities and in concert with the Government of Saskatchewan, global partners, and other primary stakeholders.

>> Aboriginal Sport Development: A Four-Year Strategy, "Building a Foundation for the Future"

Aboriginal Sport Leadership Council

Purpose:
The Aboriginal Sport Leadership Council provides advice and recommendations to Sask Sport Inc. on matters pertaining to Aboriginal Sport Development and the distribution of Saskatchewan Lottery Trust Fund proceeds to organizations and projects involving the needs of Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan.

Responsibilities:

• Advise Sask Sport Inc. on matters pertaining to vision and strategy to increase participation of Aboriginal people in sport including but not limited to athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers;
• Facilitate effective relationships with other interest groups and individuals:
• Represent the interests of the Aboriginal sport development in a positive and constructive manner;
• Advocate for Aboriginal sport development within and outside of Sask Sport Inc.;
• Seek opportunities for collaborate in strategies in related sectors that impact Aboriginal Sport development (e.g. education, health);
• Advise on benchmarks to measure success of Aboriginal sport development initiatives;
• Provide an Aboriginal lens to Sask Sport policy development; and
• Receive, review and recommend the course of action on all Aboriginal grant submissions based on established guidelines and procedures approved by the Board of Directors of Sask Sport Inc.

Please contact Cheryl McCallum, Manager, Aboriginal Services Unit at (306) 975-0807 or by EMAIL if you require further information or if you have questions about Aboriginal Sport Development in Saskatchewan.

Aboriginal Voluntary Self Declaration Procedures (Updated by Sask Sport Inc. – June 15, 2007)

Aboriginal sport development is a priority for the Sport Federation as it seeks to increase participation levels at all levels. There are tremendous benefits to be received from sport and all people, regardless of age, background and ability, should be encouraged to participate.

Sask Sport Inc. has obtained clarification from the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission ruling that Sask Sport’s member organizations are not prohibited by The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code from inviting participants to identify their Aboriginal ancestry.

Click HERE to link for two suggested examples of Aboriginal Voluntary Self Declaration.

For more information contact Cheryl McCallum, Aboriginal Services Unit, at (306) 975-0807.

General Participation Agreement

The CANADA-SASKATCHEWAN General Participation Agreement to Advance the Canadian Sport Policy in Saskatchewan was signed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Secretary of State for Sport and Physical Activity, and on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan by the Minister of Saskatchewan Culture, Youth and Recreation. The bilateral agreement commits funding for programs to help young people benefit from sport and physical activity. The expected benefits for the people of Saskatchewan, especially those of Aboriginal ancestry, are numerous. Partnership initiatives such as this will effect positive change for Aboriginal people through the means of unique sport opportunities. The work resulting from these programs will establish a base on which to continue the initiative well into the 21st Century. Saskatchewan's rapidly changing demographics dictates that concerted and continuous efforts are necessary to ensure the majority of Saskatchewan people can access and enjoy sport and physical activity on a regular basis.

The General Participation Agreement is comprised of progressively linked pilot sport components:

>> Aboriginal Coaches & Officials Program
>> Aboriginal Community Sport Grant Program (ACSGP)
>> Dream Brokers