Sport and Active Living

Ministry of Sport & Active Living

In 2007, driven by the desire to improve the health and well-being of BC’s Indigenous people, several prominent provincial Indigenous organizations came together to develop a social legacy from the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games—a legacy that would lead to transformative change in the health and well-being of Indigenous people across the province.
Drawing inspiration from the BC Aboriginal Youth Sport and Recreation Declaration, which was established during the 2008 Gathering Our Voices youth conference, the group undertook the task of developing a new and unified approach to community development and preventative health. This work resulted in the creation of a comprehensive, long-term plan called the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Strategy (ASRPA Strategy). The Strategy was developed around 5 pillars that were endorsed by Indigenous Leaders from across BC during the 2008 Leaders Gathering held a day prior to the Opening Ceremonies of the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games.
In the summer of 2009, the three founding organizations, the First Nations Health Council (FNHC), the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) and the Métis Nation BC (MNBC), signed a historic agreement to form the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council, pledging to work together and develop a multi-year implementation process.
Together we are the stewards of the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Strategy, a comprehensive long-term plan designed to support a healthier future for our province’s Indigenous communities, families and individuals.
- Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council
  ISPARC Grants
- The Partners Council is a consortium of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, the First Nations Health Authority, and Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC). See upcoming events, employment opportunities, athletic rosters and more.
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- Indigenous Bridging the Gap (IBTG) Program | BC Wheelchair Sports Association
- Team Canada

WELLNESS AND ACTIVE LIVING EVENT

In August 2022, our Ministry of Sport held the first-ever, Wellness and Active Living Event! This fun-filled weekend had cultural and physical activities, including a carving workshop with Pat Calihou, ziplining, and canoeing, to name a few. The event was in Campbell River, BC, at the Strathcona Park Lodge.

Featured Métis Athletes

Prince George Citizen File Photo — "Cody Bailey won both the junior and men's Simon Fraser Open in Prince George in 2019.Citizen file photo"

"Cody Bailey from the Prince George Golf and Curling Club, representing North Central Métis, finished second in the men’s gross division, just one shot behind the overall winner. Bailey was a three-time winner of the Junior Simon Fraser Open in Prince George and he won both the junior and men’s Simon Fraser Open in 2019." (Neil Godbout - Prince George Citizen)

Prince George Citizen (Article)

*Canada Winter Games U18 Gold Medalist - Danica Maynard*

"Danica is playing for Rink Academy Female U18 out of Kelowna, coached by Kris Hogg (the best U18 female team in North America).
In the last few weeks, Danica had 2 calls expressing interest to Play U SPORTS with University of Alberta Panda's and McGill University out of Montreal when she finishes her Grade 12 year. Windsor Ontario University expressed interest a few months ago... NCAA in the USA are unable to speak to Dani until June 15, 2023. Danica's advisor Breanna has been in contact with numerous NCAA programs such as Harvard, Yale, and Cornell. All are interested in Danica." - Dean Maynard

"U SPORTS is the national sport governing body of university sport in Canada, comprising the majority of degree-granting universities in the country. Its equivalent body for organized sports at colleges in Canada is the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association" - Wikipedia

Danica's Stats

TEA & BANNOCK CUP - 2023

"Skaters representing the Métis National Council (MNC) and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) took to the ice [March 28, 2023] competing for the “Tea and Bannock Cup” in the first annual MNC/ITK hockey game in Ottawa.
Donning Métis Nation jerseys emblazoned with the number 35, a nod to Section 35 of the Constitution Act, teams included members of Parliament, Minister of Indigenous-Crown Relations Marc Miller and Minister of Justice David Lametti, MNC President Cassidy Caron, as well as [participating players from Métis Nation BC, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, and Métis Nation of Ontario.]
At the end of the night Team MNC brought home the silver kettle! " - Métis Nation of Ontario

Click here for more pictures!

National Aboriginal Hockey Championships - Team BC

"The National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) is an annual event providing a forum for elite Indigenous hockey players across Canada. The ice hockey championship was established in Canada by the Aboriginal Sport Circle. The tournament attracts participation from First Nations, Inuit and Métis across thirteen provinces and territories Two teams (one male and one female) are selected and representative of each province and territory. Players are 14-17 years of age (U15, U18).The NAHC also helps foster cultural unity and pride and celebrates the athletic abilities of Indigenous athletes from across the country."

On Friday, May 5th, 2023, MNBC Reps and Elder Philip Gladue participated at the players' final skate before heading to Winnipeg. It was a privilege to send off the athletes in a good way!

Click here for pictures!

Sport and Active Living

Ministry of Sport & Active Living

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WELLNESS AND ACTIVE LIVING EVENT

Featured Métis Athletes

TEA & BANNOCK CUP - 2023