MP YVONNE JONES ANNOUCNES FUNDING FOR INDIGENOUS SPORT IN LABRADOR
MAY 21, 2021
HOPEDALE, NUNATSIAVUT, NL
On May 20, MP Yvonne Jones announced funding for two programs under the Department of Heritage's Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities streams.
The first program will see over $700,000 invested into three projects the Atlantic Indigenous Championships.
The second totalling $180,000 in federal contribution will support the Kajak Revival in Nunatsiavut.
Joined by representatives of the Nunatsiavut Government, MP Jones highlighted the importance this funding holds in upholding and continuing Indigenous cultural activities in Labrador. The programs objectives, outlined below, offer an exciting opportunity for all active in Indigenous Sports and Recreation in Labrador:
ATLANTIC INDIGENOUS CHAMPIONSHIPS
This program will be a continuation of the work completed to date and funded from the first SSDIC cycle last year. As part of the first phase of the project, a community needs assessment will be completed by mid-April 2021. Following the assessment, ASRCNL will coordinate summits and prepare a final report. The summits, or discussions with the communities, have been postponed until further notice provided the current pandemic context.
The second phase of this project will focus on working directly with the communities to address their needs and challenges, as identified during the first phase. Specifically, the organization will provide training opportunities to support athlete development and coach certification, facilitate volunteer training, development and recruitment and design programs that respond to community needs. This program was conceived to directly identify and address the needs of each of the remote indigenous communities.
Activity #1: Employ two (2) outreach workers, one (1) for the island portion of the Province and one (1) for the Labrador portion (of the province)
Activity #2: Work with individual community sport and recreation stakeholders, practitioners and facilitators
Activity #3: Host regional summits (temporarily postponed provided the current pandemic context; to be resumed and scheduled in line with provincial public health guidelines)
Project #2 – Traditional Games Program (2021‑2022 and 2022‑2023)
This proposed program is also a continuation of a program funded through the first SSDIC cycle last year. To date, information has been gathered on the history, evolution and instructional resources of the traditional games of the Labrador Inuit. This year’s funding will focus specifically on the delivery and implementation of the Labrador Inuit Traditional Games.
In this project, a Traditional Games Coordinator will compile any additional information on Labrador Inuit Traditional Games as required and create a detailed handbook (with all the information collected) and a resource manual for Physical Education teachers. Additionally, the coordinator will travel to various communities to demonstrate and instruct the Physical Education teachers on how to deliver the games within their respective educational institutions. Finally, the coordinator will be responsible for overseeing a committee that will provide leadership and guidance on the execution of the games.
Activity #1: Employ a Traditional Games Coordinator to deliver the Labrador Inuit Traditional Games in Indigenous communities across NL
Activity #2: Lead demonstration events in all NL Indigenous communities
Project #3 – Atlantic Indigenous Championships (AIC) (2022‑2023)
The AIC aims to convene youth from all Indigenous communities in the Atlantic region to engage in sport and physical activities. Youth, coaches and apprentice coaches will participate in university tours hosted by each of the host communities and provinces. Through these tours, they will learn about educational opportunities, meet positive Indigenous student athletes, undergo physical fitness testing and learn about their culture. Youth and coaches will also participate in healthy eating sessions, mental preparation training and in cultural events and celebrations.
Activity #1: Travel to other Atlantic provinces – Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island
Activity #2: Host two (2) events – golf in western NL and female volleyball games in Goose Bay, NL
Activity #3: Lead physical testing sessions when event activities are hosted by NL
KAJAK REVIVAL PROGRAM:
The Nunatsiavut Government (NG) was established in 2005 through the settlement of the Labrador Inuit Land Claim Agreement. The NG provides service delivery to Labrador Inuit in Nunatsiavut, Upper Lake Melville and other Nunatsiavummiut (Nunatsiavut Inuit). There are 9 departments within NG and this project will specifically be delivered through the Culture Division of NG’s Language, Culture and Tourism department.
The proposed project aims to increase awareness of Kajak (kayak) through early instruction, primary experience and gradual increase of performance. NG will aim to provide kayak instruction sessions to Indigenous adolescents, youth and adults (14 -22 or older). The sessions will occur during the weekdays in the summer on an annual, on going basis.
A specific proportion of the kayak instruction sessions will seek to engage at-risk young adults to develop their confidence and personal self-esteem and to increase their prospects of obtaining employment related to kayak instruction.
The Inuit community governments of Nunatsiavut will be responsible for delivering the kayak recreation activities for which the kayak equipment are being purchased. Each Inuit community government would be responsible for ensuring access to kayak equipment for community members, maintaining inventory of the equipment and promoting the sessions where the hired instructor would be teaching in the communities.
"With this funding, we are continuing in the spirit of reconciliation to ensure Indigenous culture can be preserved and celebrated throughout Labrador. Indigenous sport is a cornerstone to this progress. I look forward to continued work with the Nunatsiavut Government and all Indigenous groups to invest in Indigenous cultural activities in Labrador."
-Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador
Program Link:
