Indigenous Sports Fund listening to level playing field
Manitoba is home base for a fund organizers hope will boost Indigenous participation in sport across Canada. “We should be involved in more than just dancing in the opening ceremonies,” […]
Manitoba serves as the headquarters for the Indigenous Sports Fund, a philanthropic initiative aimed at increasing Indigenous participation in sports across Canada. The fund plans to provide an annual subscription of $205.00 plus GST for one year, with automatic renewal at $233.00 plus GST every 52 weeks. The subscription offers a 10% discount compared to the regular annual price.
The idea for the fund originated in 2023 when the fund's creator, Bruce Miller, noticed the positive impact of sports on Indigenous youth during the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax. Miller, a former member of the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre, began visiting First Nations and Métis groups in June for "listening tours" to gather input about the potential uses of the fund.
Miller, who is now the executive director of the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council, intends to create a report based on the feedback received from Indigenous communities. The organization is seeking $3 to $5 million in initial investment, which is currently being processed for charitable status. The fund will launch after the report is distributed to participating groups, expected to occur by early 2027.
Organizers have conducted listening sessions in Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Atlantic Canada. Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities has been supporting the listening tours and initial fund meetings. The fund aims to address the lower participation rates of Indigenous girls in sports, with only 30% of Indigenous girls ages 13 to 18 playing sports weekly, compared to 52% of their white peers, according to a 2022 Canadian Women & Sport report.
Miller envisions the fund sponsoring Indigenous sports events and providing financial assistance for teams. He aims to hire staff, establish regional granting circles, and ensure the fund aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's calls to action related to Aboriginal athlete development and inclusion.
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