Government of Canada invests $22.8 million in Indigenous sport programs to empower First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities

More sport opportunities for Indigenous communities across the country.

EDMONTON, AB, June 1, 2026 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada remains committed to supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in fostering strong, healthy and vibrant Indigenous communities across the country.

Access to sport and physical activity is fundamental to supporting these social outcomes. Today, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), announced the 2026–2028 funding recipients for the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) program.

Through this $22.8-million investment, Indigenous-led projects will expand access to sport and physical activity in communities across the country. These initiatives will prioritize culturally relevant and community-designed programming to empower Indigenous people, including youth, women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and persons with disabilities.

In Edmonton, $1,226,255 will be invested in three Indigenous-led projects aimed at expanding access to sport and physical activity.

Since 2019, the SSDIC program, in collaboration with Indigenous-led organizations and governments, has benefited hundreds of communities across Canada.

Please consult the backgrounders for a detailed list of 2026–2028 Stream One, Stream Two and Stream Three recipients.

Quotes

"Sport brings people together, strengthens communities, and supports physical and mental well-being. Through this investment, Indigenous-led organizations will be able to expand access to culturally relevant sport and physical activity opportunities for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across the country. These initiatives are helping break down barriers to participation and creating spaces where Indigenous peoples of all ages and abilities can thrive."

--The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)

"SSDIC Stream One funding has been critical to ISCA's ability to serve Indigenous communities and advance meaningful social development outcomes across Alberta. This support allows us to deliver culturally grounded sport, recreation and wellness programs that strengthen community connections, leadership and overall well-being. While challenges such as staffing capacity, travel, and growing demand in rural and remote communities remain, SSDIC funding enables us to respond in meaningful and impactful ways. We are deeply grateful for this investment, which remains essential to our work and the communities we serve."

--Shannon Dunfield, Chair, Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta

Quick Facts

Sport for social development is defined as the intentional use of sport or physical activity to achieve social outcomes.

The Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities program is focused on supporting positive outcomes in the areas of health, education, at-risk behaviour and/or employability, consistent with priorities set out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action 7, 19, 38 and 66, and with Calls for Justice 3.1 and 7.3 of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The SSDIC component of the Sport Support Program has three funding streams.

Stream One: In the 2026–2028 funding cycle, $10.6 million will be distributed to the 12 Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies (PTASBs) to develop sports community programming and to the Aboriginal Sport Circle to support their membership in this delivery.

Stream Two: In the 2026–2028 funding cycle, $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. Drawn from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action, the Stream Two social development goals focus on improved health, education and employability, and reduced at-risk behaviours. These investments will be delivered through 51 projects across the country.

Stream Three: In the 2026–2028 funding cycle, $5 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. Drawn from the Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the Stream Three social development goals focus on physical and mental health, suicide prevention, sexual trafficking awareness and prevention, safe and healthy relationships, and sexual positivity (2SLGBTQI+). These investments will be delivered through 34 projects across the country.

Related Products

Secretary of State van Koeverden highlights sport investments from Spring Economic Update 2026: Canada Strong for All to build stronger and safer communities

Associated Links

Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities

Sport Canada

Aboriginal Sport Circle

Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies

Backgrounder: 2026–2028 Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities Stream One Funding Recipients

To advance Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action, the Government of Canada will work with the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC), along with an organization identified by the ASC in each province and territory, to support their capacity and to provide opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to participate in meaningful sport, recreational and physical activities that support 1 or more of the Stream One social development goals.

Backgrounder: 2026–2028 Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities Stream Two Funding Recipients

Detailed list of 2026–2028 Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) Stream Two recipients:

Region	Recipient
Prince Edward Island	Lennox Island First Nation
Prince Edward Island	Mi'Kmaq Family Resource Centre Inc.
Saskatchewan	Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan	Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation
Saskatchewan	Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation
Manitoba	Anishinaabe Agowidiiwinan Secretariat Inc.
Manitoba	Long Plain First Nation
Manitoba	Shoal Lake Cree Nation – Prevention Department
Manitoba	Waterways Recreation Inc.
Manitoba	Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Association Inc.
British Columbia	Indigenous Women Outdoors Society
British Columbia	Malahat First Nation
British Columbia	NEC Native Education College
British Columbia	Nikihk Management & Community Development Society
British Columbia	Rising Tide Surf Society
British Columbia	Sníchim Foundation Society
British Columbia	Sq'éwlets First Nation
British Columbia	Stein Valley Nlakapamux School Society
British Columbia	Tahltan Band Council
British Columbia	The Friendship House Association of Prince Rupert
British Columbia	Tzeachten First Nation
British Columbia	Williams Lake First Nation
Alberta	Creating Hope Society of Alberta
Alberta	Driftpile Cree Nation
Alberta	Grande Prairie Friendship Centre
Alberta	Little Red River Cree Nation
Alberta	St. Paul Mannawanis Native Friendship Centre
Alberta	Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc.
Alberta	Woodland Cree First Nation Education Committee
Quebec	Centre de développement communautaire autochtone de Montréal
Quebec	Centre d'amitié autochtone de Lanaudière
Quebec	Cree Nation of Mistissini
Quebec	Cree First Nation of Waswanipi
Quebec	Oujé-Bougoumou
Newfoundland and Labrador	Flat Bay Band Inc.
Newfoundland and Labrador	Port au Port Indian Band Inc.
New Brunswick	Bilijk First Nation
New Brunswick	Elsipogtog First Nation Education Authority
New Brunswick	Fort Folly First Nation
New Brunswick	Oromocto First Nation
New Brunswick	Three Nations Education Group Inc.
New Brunswick	Woodstock First Nation Health Centre
Ontario	Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation
Ontario	Nokiiwin Tribal Council Inc.
Ontario	Plenty Canada
Northwest Territories	Inuvik Community Corporation
Northwest Territories	Liidlii Kue First Nation
Yukon	Village of Teslin
Nunavut	Hamlet of Kugluktuk
Nunavut	Hamlet of Pond Inlet
Nunavut	Pirurvik Preschool Society
Nova Scotia	Annapolis Valley First Nation
Nova Scotia	Pictou Landing First Nation Band Council

Backgrounder: 2026–2028 Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities Stream Three Funding Recipients

Detailed list of 2026–2028 Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) Stream Three recipients:

Region	Recipient
Manitoba	Ikayuqtiit Incorporated
Manitoba	2Spirit Manitoba Inc.
Manitoba	God's Lake First Nation
Manitoba	Keewatin Tribal Council Inc.
Manitoba	St. Louis Metis Local #28
Manitoba	Waterways Recreation Inc.
Manitoba	York Factory First Nation
Prince Edward Island	Lennox Island First Nation
Prince Edward Island	Mi'Kmaq Family Resource Centre Inc.
British Columbia	Gitxaala Nation
British Columbia	Shxwowhamel First Nation
British Columbia	Tla'amin Nation
British Columbia	Yunesit'in Government
Quebec	Cree Nation of Nemaska
Quebec	Whapmagoostui Sports & Recreation
New Brunswick	Madawaska Maliseet First Nation Health Centre
New Brunswick	Under One Sky – Monoqonuwicik-Neoteetjg Mosigisg Inc.
New Brunswick	Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc.
Ontario	Nimkee NupiGawagan Healing Centre Inc.
Ontario	Pikangikum First Nation
Alberta	High Level Native Friendship Centre Society
Alberta	Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre
Alberta	SaKaeah North
Alberta	Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Women's Shelter
Yukon	Council for Yukon First Nations
Saskatchewan	White Bear First Nations
Nova Scotia	Potlotek First Nation
Nova Scotia	Sipeknekatik Band
Northwest Territories	Tlicho Government
Nunavut	Cambridge Bay Wrestling Club
Nunavut	Kitikmeot Friendship Society
Nunavut	Natchiliup Quviahuktiit
Nunavut	Hamlet of Gjoa Haven
Newfoundland and Labrador	Newfoundland Indigenous Peoples Alliance Inc.
Newfoundland and Labrador	St. George's Indian Band

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Lauren Hadaller, Chief of Staff Office of the Secretary of State (Sport), [email protected]; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, [email protected]