Indigenous Sport Timeline
Sask Sport, supported by the Indigenous Sport Leadership Council, is proud to present an Indigenous Sport Timeline. This timeline celebrates the growth in Indigenous sport participation throughout Saskatchewan.
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1972
Sask Sport is founded
to establish a fundraising program, present a unified voice for amateur sport and develop collective programs and services beneficial to sport.
1974
Sask Lotteries fundraiser
Sask Sport is authorized to operate Sask Lotteries as a fundraiser for eligible sport, culture and recreation groups in the province.
1974
Community Grant Program (formally known as TIP) was created to provide enhanced investments directly to communities.
1985
1990
1991
1993
New Tribal Council Coordinator Program is created to increase participation in sport, culture and recreation at the community level.
1993
1993
1993
1994
1995
1995
1995
1996
"We (volunteers) are in a pretty good position to have influence on public policy for sport and how sport is delivered in the province."
- Dorothy Josephson, first Indigenous Board of Directors president
1996
1997
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan receive direct funding for Sport Development.
1997
1999
2001
Community consultations held
to enhance communication of funding opportunities, develop best practices and increase Indigenous participants across the sport system.
2002
2003
Joe Daniels is on secondment from Sask Sport to assist with the 2005 Canada Summer Games in Regina.
2003
Approximately $3.5 Million
in Annual Funding is provided for targeted sport, culture and recreation initiatives to increase Indigenous participation.
2003
Sask Sport, SaskCulture and Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association release the Aboriginal Action Plan as a result of the earlier community consultations to further develop relationships with communities and organizations in support of increased participation.
2003
Community Initiatives Fund is created with dedicated funding to support Aboriginal participation and leadership programs. The next four programs and initiatives benefited from the Community Initiatives Fund.
2003
2003
The Urban Aboriginal Community Grant Program with funding from Community Initiatives Fund increases access to and for the development of sport, culture and recreation programming.
2003
The Aboriginal Participation Initiative provides the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan with funding to support enhanced participation.
2003
Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon participate in the Urban Leadership Program designed to develop and implement quality city-wide leadership and training initiatives.
2004
2005
2006
Seeds of Success
Sask Sport launches Seeds of Success Campaign to celebrate Indigenous achievements in sport in the province.
2006
SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards
Sask Sport sponsors Sport and Recreation Award.
2006
A new general participation Federal-Provincial Bilateral agreement is used to create new community-based programming.
2006
2006
Give Kids a Chance Charity Inc.
Give Kids a Chance Charity Inc. was created as the umbrella charity for community programs. The charity serves children who face barriers to participation in sport, culture and recreation programs.
2006
Lessons Learned
Sask Sport partners with the University of Regina to complete study "Lessons Learned: Recruiting, Training and Retaining Aboriginal Volunteers at Sporting Events" after two major competitions were hosted in the province.
2007
797 local leaders are trained through
the newly established Aboriginal Coaches and Officials Program, now Indigenous Coaches and Officials Program.
2007
The Aboriginal Excellence Program,
now Indigenous Sport Enhancement Program, was created to raise the performance level of athletes in the Long Term Athlete Development model.
2007
Provincial Sport Organizations begin to implement voluntary self-identification to better understand member needs.
2008
2008
Tribal Council Coordinator program expands to partner with independent First Nations to align with the First Nations Games program.
2008
Approximately $5 Million
in Annual Funding is provided for targeted sport, culture and recreation initiatives to increase Indigenous participation.
2008
The Community Sport Planning Toolkit
is developed alongside the Aboriginal Community Sport Grant to help build community capacity to offer quality organized sport programs for youth.
2008
2008
Sask Sport committees adopt guidelines to respect Elder protocols and traditions.
2008
Sask Sport sponsors a new male and female category for Sport/Rec Awards at the SaskTel Indigenous Youth Awards.
2008
Jacqueline Lavallee
Local basketball and soccer athlete and coach wins the National Aboriginal Sport Circle 2008 Tom Longboat Coach Award, after winning the Tom Longboat Athlete award in 2000. She is a member of three local sports hall of fames, a teacher at Oskāyak High School and a basketball assistant coach at the University of Saskatchewan. She also was selected as a Canadian torch bearer for the 2010 Olympic Games.
2009
$25,000 allocated
Aboriginal Sport Enhancement is revised to provide team development for National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.
2009
Hosting grant for Tony Cote First Nations Games increased to $100,000.
2010
With the assistance of the Indigenous Sport Leadership Council, stronger efforts are made by Sask Sport to measure and share the impacts of Indigenous participation throughout the sport system.
2010
A coordinator is hired to enhance relationships and communication in partnership with Métis Nation–Saskatchewan.
2010
Audra Young is elected president of the Sask Sport Board of Directors. Her involvement continues as the chair of the Indigenous Sport Leadership Council.
2010
The Dream Brokers program makes a difference in Regina communities and expands into Saskatoon.
2011
Manager of Community Sport
Cheryl McCallum becomes Manager of Community Sport. The position was created by Sask Sport to enhance services and support community sport participation and inclusion.
2011
Sask Sport releases new Indigenous Champions poster series.
2011
Eric Honetschlager is elected president of the Sask Sport Board of Directors.
2012
Strategies focused on
Indigenous Sport Development embedded within the Sask Sport Strategic Plan.
2012
The Dream Brokers program continues its strong reputation in the province with further expansion into Prince Albert schools.
2012
Tribal Council Coordinators and Sask Sport work together to develop specific outcomes for the Tribal Council Coordinator Program.
2012
Districts and Tribal Councils gather to discuss new ways to partner and support Indigenous youth and communities.
2012
2012
2012
Mentorship Pilot Projects created within Indigenous Coaches and Officials Program and Sask Games Council.
2013
An increase to $400,000 given in
Indigenous Community Sport Grants, previously known as Aboriginal Community Sport Grant, for communities and programs across the province.
2013
2,800 children and youth
helped yearly by the Dream Brokers programs now in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, North Battleford and Yorkton.
2014
North American Indigenous Games Regina 2014
Regina hosts the North American Indigenous Games with 5,000 participants in 15 sports. The Games added $12 million to the Regina economy and created 267 jobs in the province.
2014
District Measurement Framework created to increase and monitor Indigenous participation in sport, culture and recreation activities.
2014
General Participation Bilateral Funding Renewed
Sport Canada renews its commitment to Saskatchewan by signing a General Participation Bilateral Agreement for four years, which includes $1.2 million and matching funds provided by Sask Lotteries Trust Fund in partnership with the Province of Saskatchewan.
2014
$8.6 Million
Total direct and indirect funding to First Nations and Métis organizations and communities.
2015
Truth & Reconciliation
The Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action contain five specific to sport (87-91). The Indigenous Sport Leadership Council of Sask Sport releases response in support of calls.
2016
2016
2016
Sask Sport staff and Indigenous Sport Leadership Council participate in one-day workshop on the Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action.
2016
2016
Sask Sport presents on reconciliation at the Wichitowin Conference in Saskatoon.
2016
Tavia Laliberte is elected president of the Sask Sport Board of Directors.
2016
2016
The Indigenous Long-Term Participant Development Pathway resource is launched as a reference for those who work within sports and recreation. It outlines key elements that need to be considered when planning, developing and implementing programs for and with Indigenous peoples and communities.
2017
2017
2017
The General Participation Bilateral is Enhanced
The General Participation Bilateral is enhanced to include Indigenous Bilateral support. Programs such as the North American Indigenous Games and Team Saskatchewan Development leading up to the games are targeted. These funds are matched by the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund in partnership with the Province of Saskatchewan,
2017
Participants travelling to attend NAIG in 2017 in Toronto are supported through the general participation provincial bilateral funding agreement and matching funds from Sask Lotteries Trust Fund.
2017
2018
Sask Sport membership, key delivery partners and staff attend retreat to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion.
2018
The Aboriginal Sport Enhancement Program, now called Indigenous Sport Enhancement, moves to a three-year cycle to align with the time between games. This shift provides better continuity and development for Indigenous athletes.
2018
The delivery of the Aboriginal Coaching Module expands into the University of Saskatchewan's College of Kinesiology.
2018
A record 12,703
children and youth helped by KidSport to participate in sport across the province.
2019
Receiving recognition
Michael Linklater becomes the fourth Saskatchewan resident to win the National Aboriginal Sport Circle Tom Longboat Award after being named one of the top 3x3 basketball international players. In addition to his accomplishments on the court, Michael is a former Sask Sport employee who has become a role model, motivational speaker and the face of N7 Nike apparel. Linklater was also honoured by the Toronto Raptors in their "Celebrating Indigenous Athletes" campaign in 2023.
2019
A celebration for the Dream Broker program with the Government of Saskatchewan, SaskCulture and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association was held at the Science Centre in Regina to acknowledge the valuable sport, culture and recreation impact that this program has had on youth since 2006. The event honoured the program’s many contributors and partnerships, including the Catholic and Public school boards, Community Initiatives Fund, the Regina intersectoral Partnership and the Parkland Valley and Rivers West Districts for Sport, Culture and Recreation.
2019
Colette Bourgonje
10-time Paralympian Colette Bourgonje is named as an inductee into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame. She is the first Canadian woman to compete in both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. In 2021, Colette was inducted in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame for her decorated career in sport.
2019
2019
Approximately $10 million
in Annual Funding is provided for targeted sport, culture and recreation initiatives to increase Indigenous participation.
2020
Overcoming COVID-19 barriers, Dream Brokers found an innovative way to continue offering and diversify programming for participants through activity kits. The kits were unique to each community and school that the Dream Brokers program serves. Photo – Activity Kit
2020
2020
2020
Angella Pinay is elected president of the Sask Sport Board of Directors. After serving on the Board from 2011-14, she was nominated again by the Saskatchewan Soccer Association in 2018.
2020
2021
2021
2022
2022
2022
15 years
The Indigenous Coaches and Officials Program, formerly known as the Aboriginal Coaches and Officials Program, marked 15 years facilitating training and development opportunities across Saskatchewan for Indigenous peoples to become more involved in sport as a coach or an official.
2022
“He’s the guy who put this all together. This is how we honour him.” — Korey Diehl on the return of the Tony Cote First Nations Games after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022 marked the Games’ first year without its namesake and founder. James Smith Cree Nation played host to the Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games in July and the Winter Games, which features traditional hand games, were held early April in Saskatoon.
2022
2022
2023
“We can’t have reconciliation without the truth.”
Sask Sport Participation in Sport Lead, Amy Shipley on the keynote address about Indigenous inclusion in sport and Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. Shipley uses her voice to discuss valuable topics that affect the sport community, more recently joining ‘The Waggle’ podcast to speak on the latest installment of the league’s Diversity Is Strength Conversations series.
2023
“Sport is more than just playing, its development on the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual level that will impact you for a lifetime,” said Brett Lachance, University of Saskatchewan athlete.
A historic relationship began at James Smith Cree Nation in June, as the community welcomed KidSport’s first local chapter on a First Nation in Canada. The chapter offers opportunities to youth and aims to remove barriers that previously limited sport participation.
2023
The North American Indigenous Games
The tenth edition of the North American Indigenous Games took place with 14 sports celebrated at 21 separate venues across Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth, Millbrook First Nation and Sipeke’katik in Nova Scotia. Team Saskatchewan was crowned champions for the seventh time at the Games, tallying 175 medals, 51 of which were gold.
2023
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2027
All coaches and assistant coaches will be required to compete the Aboriginal Coaching Module. The curriculum provides resources to expand awareness and to educate participants on Indigenous culture, values and lifestyles.
2023
“I’m trying to inspire the next generation of Indigenous soccer players, Indigenous athletes, especially from a small reserve here in Saskatchewan.”
Recipient of the Next Generation Indigenous Athlete Assistance Grant, Raymond Fox signed with the newly formed Nautsa’mawt FC in League1 BC, the highest level of soccer available in Canada. The league aspires to work with Indigenous communities to make social change through the recruitment of Indigenous athletes.
2023
Claire Dore, Rosetta Cyr and Mason Medynski promote the importance of sport in the province and advocate positive change in the community through their work as ambassadors with Sask Sport’s advocacy campaign, Sport. Its More Than A Game.
2023
Toronto Raptors celebrate Indigenous athletes Mike Tanton was one of eight individuals honoured by the Toronto Raptors through a Toronto Transit Commission campaign, which highlighted his devotion to basketball and work as co-founder of One Love Basketball and the Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League. The Raptors wanted to celebrate contributions made by Indigenous athletes and take initiative regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Action 87.