When describing the strengths of successful programs in their communities, several leaders described opportunities for leadership as being particularly motivating for the youth they work with. Programs that promote self-growth through physical activity are more likely to sustain participation over a longer duration.
The recommendations in this section highlight opportunities for sport and recreation staff to promote comfort and inclusion for Indigenous families participating in physical activity. These are participant-informed recommendations to improve practices that affect access to and experiences within physical activity programs and spaces.
Indigenous sport and recreation leaders emphasized community members’ desire for diverse physical activity options that reflect community strengths and interests, which include land-based activities centred on Indigenous culture and ways of knowing.
Having more community coaches and more programs that can be run in the community by community would be something that would help it run better and longer term and create a sustainable program.
Indigenous Sport and Recreation Leader
The Recommendations:
- Create culturally safe and creative programs. Replace competition with collaboration by using traditional games, storytelling, and playful metaphors to encourage participation and create space for joy, healing and belonging.
- Integrate food programs as a cultural connector and leadership tool. Offer food at physical activity gatherings. Meals nourish participants, attract families, and provide leadership roles for youth – who can prepare, serve, and learn responsibility through this work.
- Ensure programs are led by consistent, trusted local facilitators. Ensure programs are run by the same community leaders over time.
- Invest in formal training for Indigenous recreation leaders. Provide culturally relevant, accessible training for Indigenous facilitators so they’re fully equipped to run sustainable, safe, and inspiring programs in their own communities.
- Re-centre programs on land-based learning and cultural connection. Teach youth about plants, language, stories, and stewardship as part of every movement experience.
- Design programming that welcomes all ages and supports whole-family wellness. Programs should support holistic wellness, addressing mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical needs, and should be family-friendly and multigenerational.
- Provide a balance of team and individual activities. Programs outside of mainstream sports are important, and providing team and individual activities, indoor and outdoor options, and opportunities to be active in nature – including trail running, skiing, and biking – are important.
- Position Indigenous youth as leaders, not just participants. Build programs that elevate youth as facilitators and mentors, especially older youth guiding younger peers. Youth leadership fosters confidence, pride, and long-term engagement.
Having the proper facilities in community so kids can train regularly and learn the proper skills is so important.
Indigenous Sport and Recreation Leader
Over time, there’s been less access to outdoor spaces, less land-based knowledge about plants, stories, language… so I would hope every program includes that land connection and land-based learning.
Indigenous Sport and Recreation Leader
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