Aboriginal Sport Circle

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is Canada’s voice for Aboriginal sport and recreation, which brings together the interests of First Nation, Inuit, and Metis peoples. Established in 1995, the ASC was created through a national consensus-building process; in response to the need for more accessible and equitable sport and recreation opportunities for Aboriginal peoples.

The ASC is a collective of Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies. Each of them carries the mandate to represent the grassroots sport and recreation interests of the Aboriginal peoples of their regions. It is their voice that guides the direction of the ASC and establishes its national priorities.

The ASC supports the development of Aboriginal athletes through high performance program initiatives. The programs promote a philosophy of personal excellence through sport, which supports the holistic development of all participants. A mandate of the ASC is to provide quality Aboriginal coaching and leadership for athletes.

The mission of the Aboriginal Sport Circle is support the revitalization of Aboriginal sport by promoting Indigenous games, and traditional and holistic approaches to amateur sport. To promote a philosophy of Aboriginal culture and community development that encourages healthy and active lifestyles through sport, recreation, and fitness.

To support the creation of an effective and accountable Aboriginal sport delivery system, this includes Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Bodies, clubs and leagues that are recognized and integrated into the mainstream sport system.

To prevent racism and promote gender equity and cultural values within both the Aboriginal and mainstream sport systems. To provide a national and international voice in sport, fitness, culture and recreation pursuits for the Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

To find out more about the Aboriginal Sport Circle click here.

 

Honouring the Tom Longboat Legacy

Tom Longboat was one of the most celebrated and accomplished athletes in Canadian history. A member of the Onondaga Nation who resided in Six Nations of the Grand River, Tom Longboat was one of the most gifted long distance runners of his time. In just his third competitive race, he set the world record for the marathon, smashing the previous mark by over five and half minutes. In the years prior to the First World War, Tom Longboat won most of the major distance races in North America and Europe, including the Boston Marathon and the Powderhall Marathon in Edinburgh, Scotland. At a time when indoor marathon running attracted sell-out crowds, he was the world's professional champion. At one point or another, he held every Canadian record from one mile to the marathon. Throughout his life, Tom Longboat spoke proudly of his First Nations heritage and held his head high in times of great adversity. He was the headline attraction wherever he raced, drawing huge crowds and a widespread following. In 1999, Maclean's Magazine voted him the #1 Canadian sports figure of the twentieth century. Established in 1951, the Tom Longboat Award serves as a proud national symbol for all Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
Dr. Bruce Kidd
Olympian & Tom Longboat Historian

For information on the Tom Longboat Awards click here

Honoring Aboriginal Coaches in Canada

Coaching is the cornerstone of community sport and recreation. Likewise, the success of Aboriginal participation in sport is dependent on the leadership of qualified coaches. In support of training Aboriginal coaches through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), the Aboriginal Sport Circle annually recognizes the outstanding leadership of certified Aboriginal coaches across Canada.

The Awards

Every year, deserving male and female certified Aboriginal coaches from each province/territory are selected for the Aboriginal Coaching Awards. Regional recipients automatically advance as nominees for the prestigious National Award that is presented to the most outstanding male and female Aboriginal coach in Canada.

For information on the Aboriginal Coaching Awards click here.

Aboriginal Coaching Manual

 

 The Aboriginal Coach Manual (ACM) is an introductory training tool for Aboriginal coaches and non-Aboriginal coaches who coach Aboriginal athletes, as they become certified through the National Coach Certification Program (NCCP). In supporting the national implementation of the ACM, the Aboriginal Sport Circle is continuing to support P/TASB’s with the opportunity to partner with the ASC to host two (2) ACM Facilitator Training/Courses and seven (7) ACM courses prior to March 31, 2007.

The long term objectives in delivering the ACM material include:
• increasing awareness, understanding and support for the ACM among Aboriginal communities and the mainstream sport community in Canada
• having coaches and communities embrace culturally sensitive practices so they can better meet the diverse needs of Aboriginal athletes in Canada.
• having coaches at all levels of sport utilizing the material from the ACM in their day-to-day interaction with Aboriginal athletes.
• creating opportunities for dialogue between facilitators, coaches and athletes about how the ACM should evolve to meet the constantly changing needs of young Aboriginal athletes.

 
For information on the Aboriginal Coaching Manual click here