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.
Today, the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is a provincial organization established with the purpose of improving the health outcomes of Indigenous peoples by supporting and encouraging physically active individuals, families, and communities. The programs and services delivered by I·SPARC are designed to build capacity and increase access to sport, recreation, and physical activity in First Nations communities, Métis Chartered Communities, Aboriginal Friendship Centres, schools, and other delivery agencies throughout the province.
CLICK HERE to download I∙SPARC’s 2023-24 Annual Report.
Past Annual Reports
2022-23 I-SPARC Annual Report 2020-21 I·SPARC Annual Report
