Nominations Open for 2023 Tom Longboat Awards
The Aboriginal Sport Circle is excited to announce the launch of the 2023 Tom Longboat National Awards nomination period! As a program of the Aboriginal Sport Circle, the Tom Longboat Awards provide a forum for the acknowledging the growth and strength of the Aboriginal sport movement in Canada and its tremendous impact on the sport development from community level participation to elite level competition.Eligibility The Awards typically honour the accomplishments of an athlete within a given program year (September 1st [...]
Team BC Rosters Announced for 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships
Victoria, B.C. (April 12, 2023) – The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) is pleased to announce the players and volunteer personnel who will represent British Columbia in the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC). The 2023 NAHC takes place in Winnipeg, Manitoba from May 7 to May 13, 2023. I·SPARC hosted its Team BC Player Selection Camp from March 31 to April 2, 2023 in Kamloops, B.C. where over 140 elite Indigenous male and female hockey [...]
Message from I·SPARC President to Participants in the Junior All Native Tournament
March 15, 2023 To: Players, Coaches, Volunteers and Fans Re: Junior All Native Tournament I provide this message of encouragement for all who are involved with supporting our young athletes to prepare for and play in the Junior All Native Tournament. To the players, you are to be commended for your dedication to your sport and your team. Remember you are an ambassador for your community, and keep in mind and practice Respect for your coaches, volunteers, officials, and your [...]
Indigenous Golf Championship of British Columbia
Get ready for the Indigenous Golf Championship of British Columbia! First Nations, Métis and Inuit athletes will have a chance to compete in the inaugural Indigenous Golf Championship of British Columbia this May at the Nk'Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course in the south Okanagan. ⛳ The tournament is a partnership between the Office of the Lieutenant-Governor of B.C. and the Osoyoos Indian Band, which owns the course. The championship will see 128 men, women and youth compete and play together from May 28 [...]
Call for Host Applications – Spring Camps/Clinics
We invite First Nations, Métis Chartered Communities, Friendship Centres and other not-for-profit Indigenous organizations to request to host Youth Sport Development Camps, Coaching Certification Courses, and/or Officials Training Sessions in their community/Centre. To apply for a program to be delivered in your community, please contact your Regional Coordinator, or fill out a host application using the links below. Request to Host a Sport Camp in your Community I·SPARC invites First Nations, Métis Chartered Communities, Friendship Centres and other not-for-profit organizations [...]
Team BC Opens Official Online Merchandise Store for the 2023 NAHC and the 2023 NAIG
The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is pleased to announce the launch of Team BC’s official online merchandise store! For a limited time, friends, families and fans can purchase official merchandise to show their support for Team BC's athletes who will represent the province at the upcoming 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC), and the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG)! The online store will close March 24, 2023 at 11:59PM (DST). No orders will be accepted after the [...]
Engagement & Education Series: Cultivating Safe Spaces
Join us in the continuation of the Engagement & Education Webinar Series with a two-hour workshop that will bring forth Indigenous Knowledge, teachings, and tangible steps on how to cultivate safe spaces for diversity and inclusion. "Cultivating Safe Spaces" with Elaine Alec takes place on March 7th, 2023 from 9AM-11AM (PST) Elaine Alec is from the Syilx and Secwépemc Nations. She is a political advisor, women's advocate, spiritual thought leader, and the author of Calling My Spirit Back, a memoir [...]
Employment Notice – Program Coordinator
The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is a provincial organization established for the purpose of improving the health outcomes of Indigenous people 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, Aboriginal Friendship Centres, Métis Chartered Communities, schools, and other delivery agencies throughout British Columbia. General Description I·SPARC is currently seeking a [...]
2023 Equipment Grant Intake Extended to March 1
I·SPARC (The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council) will be accepting applications for its 2022/23 Winter edition of the Equipment Grant Program until February 22, 2023 EXTENDED TO WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2023 at midnight (PST). All First Nations, Métis Chartered Communities and Friendship Centres are eligible to apply for the Equipment Grant. In addition, community not-for-profit organizations that deliver Indigenous sport, recreation and/or physical activity programs are eligible to apply. Barriers to sport and physical activity participation have [...]
NAHC Team BC Selection Camp
Registration is now open for the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships Team BC selection camp. The Team BC Player Selection Camp will be held March 31 to April 2, 2023. in Kamloops, BC. Team BC's coaching staff will evaluate players over the three-day camp and select the top 20 male and top 20 female hockey players to represent BC at the NAHC in Winnipeg. The 2023 Registration Fee is $100 per player, which includes a Team BC Selection Camp jersey. Pre-registration [...]
Online Engagement & Education Webinar Series
Join us for four days (February 6-9, 2023) of learning through unique workshops led by special guest speakers and honorary Elder, Nella Nelson. All ages are welcome. Cost: FREE! Introducing important topics that focus on Reconciliation and strength for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people through sport, physical activity and recreation. Moderator Nella Nelson will facilitate an introduction of speakers and provide support with host Holly Harris to discuss topics of focus to be drawn from the MMIWG Calls for Justice and [...]
I·SPARC is pleased to announce the launch of the RISE Organizational Grants
Traditional Territory of the Cowichan peoples / Duncan, B.C. (January 16, 2023) – In collaboration with the Province of British Columbia, the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is pleased to announce the launch of the RISE Organizational Grants. This Grant has been developed to provide support for communities and not-for-profit organizations delivering programming targeted to increase participation in sport, physical activity, recreation, and cultural activities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Children and Youth in Care who often face [...]