The Justin Trudeau-led federal government has announced $2.5 million in funding to give Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people more opportunities to participate in sports and physical activities.
According to reports, ten provincial and territorial Indigenous sports bodies will carry out projects that respond to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).
Meanwhile, the MMIWG has sued for more support into the health and wellness of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people, among other recommendations.
Authorities have clarified that funded projects will focus on Indigenous-led prevention initiatives in the areas of health and community awareness, using sports as a tool for social development.
The announcement was recently made by Adam van Koeverden, parliamentary secretary to the ministers of health and sport, at the Songhees Wellness Centre in Esquimalt, B.C.
In the announcement, Van Koeverden also noted the renewed funding for Indigenous youth in sports with a $20-million federal investment over five years, starting in 2022-23.
Reacting to the development, Corinne McKay, president of the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council, said “This is an important day for all of our Indigenous peoples”
“The reconciliation and strength for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples through sport funding is a strong indication of Sport Canada’s commitment to support provincial-territorial Aboriginal sport bodies across the country”.
In her words, the funding will benefit her team’s efforts to make sports more accessible and welcoming to Indigenous women, girls, and those who identify as queer.
She said “There is so much critical work to be done to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
“This new funding stream of the (Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities) program will help us to take an important step towards helping our people reclaim their sense of health, wellness, safety and wholeness.”
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