The federal government strengthened its commitment to supporting First Nations, Inuit and Metis people on Monday.
Secretary of Sport Adam van Koeverden announced 2026-2028 funding recipients for the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities program.
Indigenous-led projects will expand access to sport and physical activity in communities across Canada through a $22.8 million investment.
“Sport brings people together, strengthens communities and supports physical and mental well-being,” van Koeverden stated in a news release. “Through this investment, Indigenous-led organizations will be able to expand access to culturally relevant sport and physical opportunities for First Nations, Inuit and Metis people across the country.”
The initiatives will prioritize culturally relevant and community-designed programming to empower Indigenous people, including youth, women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and persons with disabilities.
“These initiatives are helping break down barriers to participation and creating spaces where Indigenous people of all ages and abilities can thrive,” van Koeverden added.
Since 2019, the SSDIC program, in collaboration with Indigenous-led organizations and governments, has benefited hundreds of communities across the country.
In Edmonton, over $1.2 million will be invested in three Indigenous-led projects aimed at expanding access to sport and physical activity.
“While challenges such as staffing capacity, travel and growing demand in rural and remote communities remain, SSDIC funding enables us to respond in meaningful and impactful ways,” said Shannon Dunfield, chair of Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta (ISCA).
“[The investment] remains essential to our work and the communities we serve.”
The Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities program is comprised of three funding streams.
Stream 1: In the 2026-28 funding cycle, $10.6 million will be distributed to 12 Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies (PTASP) to develop sports community programming, and to the Aboriginal Sport Circle to support its membership.
Dunfield noted SSDIC Stream 1 funding has been critical to ISCA’s ability to serve Indigenous communities and advance meaningful social development outcomes across Alberta.
“This support allows us to deliver culturally grounded sport, recreation and wellness programs that strengthen community connections, leadership and overall well-being,” she said.
Stream 2: In the three-year funding cycle, $7.2 million will be distributed to Indigenous governments, communities and other not-for-profit Indigenous organizations to support projects that promote sport and recreation in Indigenous communities.
The stream 2 social development goals focus on improved health, education and employability, along with reduced at-risk behaviours. These projects will be delivered through 51 projects across Canada.
Stream 3: The social development goals focus on physical and mental health, suicide prevention, sexual trafficking awareness and prevention, safe and healthy relationships, and sexual positivity (2SLGBTQI+). These developments will be delivered through 34 projects in the country.
