Canada Invests $24.2M in Indigenous Sport Programs
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/03/31
Canadian Heritage and its portfolio organizations play a vital role in the cultural, civic and economic life of Canadians. Arts, culture and heritage represent more than $57 billion in the Canadian economy and close to 673,000 jobs in sectors such as film and video, broadcasting, music, publishing, archives, performing arts, heritage institutions, festivals and celebrations. The Canadian government has allocated $24.2 million for Indigenous-led sport initiatives during the 2024–2026 funding cycle. Funds are distributed through three streams: $10.6 million for Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies and the Aboriginal Sport Circle, $7.2 million for Indigenous governments and organizations, and $6.25 million for initiatives benefiting Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Projects are evaluated based on social development goals, community impact, and organizational capacity. The Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) program funds these initiatives, with annual allocations totaling $11.4 million. In Vancouver, $642,000 supports seven Indigenous-led projects expanding access to sports and recreation.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: How will the $24.2 million investment in Indigenous-led sport initiatives be invested?
Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada: In the 2024–2026 funding cycle, $10.6 million will be distributed to the 13 Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies (PTASBs) and the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) to develop sports community programming.
$7.2 million will be distributed to Indigenous governments, communities and other not-for-profit Indigenous organizations to support projects that promote sport and recreation in Indigenous communities. These investments will be delivered through 55 projects across the country. See recipient list here.
$6.25 million will be distributed to Indigenous governments, communities and other not-for-profit Indigenous organizations that provide opportunities for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people to participate in meaningful sports activities. These investments will be delivered through 50 projects across the country. See recipient list here.
Jacobsen: What is the sub-selection criteria for the 119 sport projects being supported?
Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada:
- Stream One and Two funding is made available to the 13 Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies (PTASBs), the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) to provide leadership and support to the PTASBs and to Indigenous governments, communities, and other not-for-profit Indigenous organizations for projects that create opportunities for Indigenous people to participate in culturally relevant sport or physical activity and which address one or more of the following social development goals drawn from the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action:
- improved health;
- improved education;
- improved employability;
- reduction of at-risk behaviour.
- Stream Three funding is made available to Indigenous governments, communities, and other not-for-profit Indigenous organizations that specifically support sport and recreation projects serving Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples and which address one or more of the following social development goals drawn from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice:
- physical and mental health;
- suicide prevention;
- sexual trafficking awareness and prevention;
- safe and healthy relationships;
- sexual positivity (2SLGBTQI+).
Application Evaluation Criteria:
Applications should clearly describe community needs how the project will address these needs:
- Any barriers to accessing sport or physical activity are clearly described.
- The Project Need and Impact clearly identifies and addresses the selected SSDIC social development goals.
- Project Need and Impact clearly support the improvement of Indigenous people’s overall health and well-being.
- Funding priority is to support grassroots or community-based organizations and organizations serving remote and rural communities where need is significant.
- Application demonstrates organizational capacity to deliver proposed project in a trauma-informed way and has familiarity with intended participant demographics (for example, Indigenous youth, at-risk youth, Indigenous people with a disability, etc.).
- Taken together, the cohort of 2024-2026 projects will reach many participants, serve all Indigenous identity groups (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit), including Indigenous peoples with a disability, in every provincial/territorial region, with off-reserve, remote, rural, and urban community representation.
- If any partnerships are needed to adequately deliver the proposed projects, they are clearly identified.
Ultimately, decisions are made by consensus of the Indigenous-led review committee.
Jacobsen: Which funding cycle is the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) program allocating funds?
Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada:
It is for the 2024–2026 funding cycle.
Jacobsen: What is the total funding to support Indigenous-led sport initiatives?
Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada:
- Stream One: $5.3 million annually since 2019 and ongoing
- Stream Two: $3.6 million annually since 2019 and ongoing
- Stream Three: $2.5 million annually since 2021 and ongoing
Jacobsen: How is the funding structured? / Q6. How is this structure built into the three streams?
Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada:
The Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) funding is coming from Sport Canada’s Sport Support Program.
SSDIC funding is delivered through 3 streams:
- Stream One: $5.3 million is available annually to the 13 Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies (PTASBs) and the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) for the development of sport community programming
- Stream Two: $3.6 million is available annually to Indigenous governments, communities, and other not-for-profit Indigenous organizations for projects that promote sport and recreation in Indigenous communities
- Stream Three: $2.5 million is available annually to Indigenous governments, communities, and other not-for-profit Indigenous organizations that specifically support sport and recreation projects serving Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples
Jacobsen: What is the specific investment in Vancouver for Indigenous-led projects?
Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada:
In Vancouver, approximately $642,000 will be invested in seven Indigenous-led projects aimed at expanding access to sport and physical activity.
- NEC Native Education College – $94,500 for 2025-2026 under Stream 2
- Squamish Indian Band 555 (Squamish Nation) – $85,500 for 2025-2026 under Stream 2 and $130,000 for 2024-2025 under Stream 3
- BC Indigenous Housing Society – $134,970 for 2024-2026 under Stream 3
- Canoe Cultures Society – $99,574 for 2024-2025 under Stream 3
- Musqueam Indian Band – $12,500 for 2024-2025 under Stream 3
- Indigenous Physical Activity & Cultural Circle – $85,000 for 2024-2025 under Stream 3
Jacobsen: How does Minister Duguid depict the role sport and play in communities and its benefit for Indigenous peoples?
Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada:
Sport unites communities, builds strong bonds and promotes healthier lives. Through the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities program, Indigenous partners are breaking down barriers and creating lasting, positive change through sport.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time.
Last updated May 3, 2025. These terms govern all In Sight Publishing content—past, present, and future—and supersede any prior notices. In Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons BY‑NC‑ND 4.0; © In Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen 2012–Present. All trademarks, performances, databases & branding are owned by their rights holders; no use without permission. Unauthorized copying, modification, framing or public communication is prohibited. External links are not endorsed. Cookies & tracking require consent, and data processing complies with PIPEDA & GDPR; no data from children < 13 (COPPA). Content meets WCAG 2.1 AA under the Accessible Canada Act & is preserved in open archival formats with backups. Excerpts & links require full credit & hyperlink; limited quoting under fair-dealing & fair-use. All content is informational; no liability for errors or omissions: Feedback welcome, and verified errors corrected promptly. For permissions or DMCA notices, email: scott.jacobsen2025@gmail.com. Site use is governed by BC laws; content is “as‑is,” liability limited, users indemnify us; moral, performers’ & database sui generis rights reserved.
In-Sight Publishing 