I·SPARC’s Commitment Statement to Safe Participation

The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is committed to creating, promoting and maintaining positive, inclusive, safe and respectful sport, physical activity, recreation, and wellness environments for all participants, that are free from all forms of maltreatment, prejudice and discrimination. Improving the health outcomes of Indigenous peoples across BC can only be achieved by proactively taking measures to prevent harm, to respond appropriately when incidents do occur, and build strong communities together.  We will work collaboratively with all individuals, organizations, communities, and stakeholders to promote safe practices, to educate and promote a holistic approach that emphasizes the importance of the physical, emotional, psychological, and cultural safety of participants, and to continuously evaluate and improve our policies, procedures, and ways of working. Our goal is to foster a culture of safety for all, where everyone feels valued, respected, empowered, and heard, and to preserve the rights of every participant.  I·SPARC works to set an example for the Indigenous sport, physical activity, recreation, and wellness community in BC and work towards deep rooted and long-lasting change.

What is “safe participation”?
Safe participation is all-encompassing, referring to physical, emotional, psychological and cultural safety for all participants. 

Physical safety refers to reducing the risk of injuries, concussion management, appropriate and progressive return to training and competition after injury, proper access to and use of equipment, etc. Creating physical environments that are designed for all types of participants is also a consideration for physical safety. Protecting participants from any form of physical harm, injury, violence or abuse is central to physical safety. 

Emotional safety stresses the creation of an environment where participants feel secure and supported in expressing their emotions, thoughts, and concerns without fear of judgment, prejudice, ridicule, or retribution, promoting their overall well-being and mental health.  

Psychological safety focuses on cultivating an atmosphere where participants, coaches, leaders, community members, families, officials, and others feel comfortable and empowered to take risks, share their ideas, ask questions, and engage in open and honest communication without the fear of negative consequences or retaliation. 

Cultural safety emphasizes creating an inclusive and respectful environment that recognizes and embraces the diversity of participants, considering their cultural backgrounds, values, and beliefs, and actively working to prevent any form of discrimination, prejudice, or bias based on cultural differences. Cultural safety promotions the infusion of culture, language and holistic approaches to programming, to foster an increased sense of cultural identity and pride. 


Approach to Safe Participation

I·SPARC takes a holistic approach to safe participation and offers the following resources and supports to create, promote and maintain positive, inclusive, safe and respectful environments for all. Our goal is to ensure that all participants (including event registrants, leaders, coaches, managers, officials, event organizers, staff, families, communities and volunteers), have access to the resources to create a positive, inclusive, safe and respectful environment for all I·SPARC programs. 

Should you have any questions regarding any of the resources below, please reach out to safesport@isparc.ca. 

1. Codes of Conduct

i) The Team BC Code of Conduct (revised March 2023) – All Team BC Mission Staff, Coaches, Managers, Volunteers and Athletes have been asked to review and sign the code of conduct as a requirement to participate with Team BC at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) or the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). Team BC Code of Conduct: CLICK HERE.

ii) Leader Code of Conduct (revised March 2024) – All leaders of I·SPARC-delivered or I·SPARC-funded events, programs, or activities, including employees, contractors, coaches, organizers, officials, and volunteers, are subject to and protected by the I·SPARC Participant Code of Conduct. Leaders are expected to conduct themselves in the spirit of integrity, honour, respect, inclusion, and well-being for all, setting a strong example for all participants. Leader Code of Conduct: CLICK HERE.

iii) Participant Code of Conduct (revised March 2024) – All participants of I·SPARC-delivered events, programs, or activities are subject to and protected by the I·SPARC Participant Code of Conduct. Participants are expected to conduct themselves in the spirit of integrity, honour, respect, inclusion, and well-being for all. Participant Code of Conduct: CLICK HERE.

2. Criminal Record Checks and Vulnerable Sector Checks
I·SPARC understands that screening employees, coaches and volunteers is a vital part of creating, promoting and maintaining a safe environment for all participants. I·SPARC requires all employees, coaches / leaders and volunteers aged 19 and older to provide a valid Criminal Record Check (CRC), inclusive of a Vulnerable Sector Check. Criminal Record Checks are valid for a period of one year. I·SPARC may also, at any time, request that an individual working as a staff member, coach / leader, or volunteer update their Criminal Record Check if it is believed that the results of the previous CRC are no longer accurate.

3. How to File a Complaint or Raise a Concern
If you or anyone you know have a complaint or wish to raise a concern regarding safe participation at any I·SPARC-related event, or if you have concerns about any I·SPARC staff, coaches / leaders or volunteers, please contact safesport@isparc.ca.  

If you have any questions, safety concerns or complaints about any I·SPARC programs, please contact a member of the I·SPARC Staff onsite or email safesport@isparc.ca.

4. Education, Prevention and Community Empowerment
Prevention of maltreatment and misconduct in the I·SPARC environment begins with education and awareness about safe participation through tools, resources, and support from I·SPARC. I·SPARC has identified tools and resources to help staff, leaders, participants, volunteers, staff, families, and communities build the knowledge and skillset needed to create a positive, inclusive, safe, and respectful sport environment. These resources also aim to help you recognize and prevent maltreatment and misconduct in all I·SPARC program settings.  PLEASE NOTE: These resources are available to the general public and have not been endorsed by, nor reviewed through an Indigenous lens by I·SPARC. 

Canada’s national sport community is dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming sport environment. Version 6.0 of a Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) has been published by Sport Canada. The UCCMS will provide the foundation for the development of a coordinated implementation strategy to prevent and address maltreatment across all levels of the Canadian sport system, and for all participants (athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, practitioners, etc.). The UCCMS is a result of an extensive consultation process that sought insight and expertise from within the sport system and from external subject matter experts. Link to UCCMS v6.0: https://sirc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/UCCMS-v6.0-20220531-ENG.pdf Link to Supporting Resources: https://sirc.ca/safesport/policies-practices/  

Creating a culture where everyone can thrive is a shared responsibility. The Coaching Association of Canada offers programs, tools, resources, and leading practices on Safe Sport, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.  Link: https://coach.ca/sport-safety/safe-sport-training

PlaySafe is an online hub that provides tools to help individuals foster positive and safe experiences in sport and recreation. Explore the sport safety tools to learn how you can help make sport better. Link: https://playsafebc.ca/#playsafetools

This Safe Sport Training Module gives knowledge to identify and prevent situations of maltreatment to anyone involved in sport, recreation and wellness programs. Link: https://safesport.coach.ca/  

The Commit to Kids program helps child-serving organizations reduce the risk of sexual abuse and create safer environments for children in their care.

Commit to Kids online training is available to help modernize and augment safeguarding structures for all organizations dealing with children. Link: https://vta.c3p.ca

Teen dating violence and gender-based violence exists in the lives of teen sport participants. As a coach, it’s important to be equipped with tools to understand and recognize the signs. Link: https://coach.ca/gender-based-violence-teen-dating-violence-sport  

The Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) is a call to action for sport organizations, parents, and coaches to enact responsible coaching across Canada – on and off the field of play. Link: https://coach.ca/sport-safety/create-quality-sport-environment

A smart sport environment ensures coaches are trained and have the confidence and skills needed to effectively manage challenging situations. Lifelong learning through numerous training modules helps coaches expand their knowledge and awareness of important topics throughout their career. Link: https://coach.ca/responsible-coaching-movement/ethics-training 

Women in Coaching is a Coaching Association of Canada-directed national campaign to increase the number of coaching opportunities for women at all levels of sport. Explore this multifaceted program here.  Link: https://coach.ca/sport-safety/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/recruitment-and-retention-best-practices-women-coaching

Active & Safe Central is a resource for children, youth and adults who engage in or facilitate sport and recreational activities, providing information on common injuries, risk factors, and injury prevention for their activity of choice. Created by the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit at BC Children’s Hospital, this website is based on current and available research evidence from around the world.  Use this tool to learn about common sport injuries, risk factors, and how to prevent injury in over 40 sports. Browse through videos, PDFs, and research on how you can prevent injury in your sport. Link: https://activesafe.ca/  

The Leading a Return to Sport Participation eLearning module is designed to help coaches lead a safe and adaptive transition back to sport. Link: https://coach.ca/sport-safety/return-to-sport

Resources for coaches, parents, and participants to recognize the signs of a concussion and the proper response. Link: https://coach.ca/sport-safety/concussion-awareness

Last updated: April 2025