I·SPARC ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Victoria, BC (June 11, 2020) – The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is pleased to announce the appointment of its inaugural board of directors and the election their Executive – President, Corinne McKay, from the Nisga’a Nation, Vice-President Alan Edkins, from the Métis Nation BC, and Secretary Treasurer Cheryl Charlie, from Sts’ailes. They will lead the nine-member board of directors as the organization transitions out of its host agency, the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC). During their nine-month term, the board will work collectively to roll-out I·SPARC’s governance plan, bringing them to the first annual general meeting to be scheduled early in the new year.
“I·SPARC fills an important role in designing and delivering programs that positively impact the health and well-being of Indigenous people, families, and communities in this province,” said Corinne McKay, I·SPARC’s President. “The organization has achieved amazing results with truly dedicated staff and volunteers and I am pleased to have a role on the inaugural board. I appreciate the confidence and support on being elected President.”
The inaugural Board of Directors is comprised of nine individuals appointed by I·SPARC’s three Partner Agencies – the First Nations Health Authority, Métis Nation BC, and the BCAAFC:
- Corinne McKay, Nisga’a Nation, President
- Alan Edkins, Métis Nation BC, Vice-President
- Cheryl Charlie, Sts’ailes, Secretary Treasurer
- Annette Morgan, Gitxsan, Director
- Don Courson, Métis Nation BC, Director
- Dr. Curtis Smecher, MD, Métis Nation BC, Director
- Milly Price, Wei Wai Kai First Nation, Director
- Travis Kruger, Penticton Indian Band, Director
- Wally Samuel, Ahousaht First Nation, Director
I·SPARC is committed to providing opportunities that inspire Indigenous people to move, play, and compete. Through its holistic approach to sport, physical activity, recreation, and healthy living, I∙SPARC continues to support transformational change in the health and well-being of Indigenous people and communities throughout BC.
“Sport plays a powerful role in helping us stay healthy and our government is proud to support I·SPARC’s efforts to improve the well-being of Indigenous peoples, families, and communities,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “I·SPARC has taken incredible leadership to create this independent board and executive which will build on their work of delivering the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation Strategy.”
“I am are extremely excited to be working with such a skilled group of leaders as we implement our new governance structure,” said Rick Brant, I·SPARC’s Executive Director. “The process has been a team effort, our three Partner Agencies, Regional Leads, and staff have all played a critical role in making our incorporation a reality. We extend our gratitude to the BCAAFC for their support as our host agency and we look forward to all of the wonderful opportunities that await I∙SPARC as we take this bold step forward.”
Since its inception, I·SPARC has been hosted by the BCAAFC. In 2019, I·SPARC, with the support of its three Partner Agencies, initiated a year-long process to become its own legal entity with the transition date set for July 1, 2020.
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About the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council
I·SPARC is a consortium of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, the First Nations Health Authority, and Métis Nation BC. As the stewards of the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation Strategy (BC), I·SPARC works with First Nations, Métis Chartered Communities, Friendship Centres, schools and other sport and physical activity stakeholders to deliver community-based programs designed to promote active lifestyles and support the desire for transformative change in the health and well-being of Indigenous communities, families, and individuals across BC. For more information, please visit: www.isparc.ca.
Media Contact
Felicia Greekas
Manager, Premier’s Awards and Communications
250.940.4909
fgreekas@isparc.ca
