Aboriginal Programs

The Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts' Sport and Recreation Branch recognizes that active lifestyles play an important role in the health of individuals and their communities. That's why the Sport and Recreation Branch is working to increase recreation and sport opportunities to Aboriginal people in British Columbia by providing support to Aboriginal organizations in three areas: sport performance, sport participation and capacity / sustainability.

The Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of BC

The Sport and Recreation Branch provides financial support and guidance to the Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association (ASRA). ASRA’s scope of programming supports all three pillars of sport performance, sport participation and capacity / sustainability in the communities.

Vision
Through sport, physical activity and recreation, ASRA strengthens the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual aspects of community and individual life for the Aboriginal youth and people of British Columbia.

Mission
ASRA is a provincial multi-sport organization which is responsible for sport and recreation programs and services for the Aboriginal people of British Columbia. Through partnerships with other Aboriginal organizations, government and sport and recreation organizations, ASRA supports and guides the delivery of sport opportunities for Aboriginal athletes, ensuring access to and participation in the sport of their choice.

Purpose
To provide a voice and advocate for equity, access and equal opportunity in sport, physical activity and recreation for the Aboriginal youth and people of British Columbia.

To support, encourage and recognize the pursuit of excellence that encourages a healthy and addition-free lifestyle from grassroots to high performance sport, physical activity and recreation for Aboriginal youth and the people of British Columbia.

To promote and deliver personal and professional leadership development and training opportunities to Aboriginal people of BC for the delivery of sport, physical activity and recreation programs.

The Sport and Recreation Branch developed and implements the Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. (Futures in Recreation and Sport Training) Initiative which is comprised of four programs:

• Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Sport Excellence Program;

• Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Urban - Vancouver Program;

• Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Junior Eagle Program

• Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Provincial Outdoor Leadership Program

• Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Municipal Aquatics Program

Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Sport Excellence Program - Sport Performance

The Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T Sport Excellence Pilot Program is a joint initiative of the Province of BC, the Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of BC (ASRA), and Sport Canada. The Aboriginal Excellence Program is designed to:

• Increase the number of aboriginal youth participating in sport;

• Immerse athletes in a specialized, competitive training environment at regional and provincial levels;

• Through talent ID camps, highlight and develop regional and community economic benefits;

• Provide a complete training environment for Aboriginal youth through expert guidance from provincial coaches combined with support from sport science professionals;

• Offer athletes and coaches the experience to advance to higher competitive opportunities, including the BC Games, the Western Canada Summer Games, the Canada Games and beyond.

Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Urban - Vancouver Program - Sport Participation

The Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Urban - Vancouver Pilot Program is an initiative of the Government of Canada, Province of BC, Urban Native Youth Association and community partners. The Program is geographically restricted to Aboriginal youth living in downtown and east Vancouver. Participants in this program develop leadership and employment skills through sport, recreation and life skills training designed to meet the needs of youth living in urban settings.

Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Junior Eagle Program - Capacity/Sustainability

The Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T Junior Eagle Program is a joint initiative of the Sport and Recreation Branch and ActNow BC. The program promotes a sense of self worth and confidence in Aboriginal youth through education, training and experiences; mastery of specialized skills in aquatics, back country guiding and scuba diving; exposure to outstanding First Nations role models (Junior leaders and instructors); and the development of leadership skills. The program cultivates values and behaviours that lead to positive lifestyles through instruction in fitness, nutrition and healthy choices.

Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Provincial Outdoor Leadership Program - Capacity/Sustainability

The Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T Provincial Outdoor Leadership Program is joint initiative of the Sport and Recreation Branch and ActNow BC. The Program provides life skills and leadership training to Aboriginal youth in aquatics and backcountry guiding. Youth receive advanced training to become Lifeguards, Swim and Lifesaving Instructors, Scuba Diving instructors, outdoor leaders and backcountry guides. Since its inception in 1993, the Aboriginal Provincial Outdoor Leadership Program has benefited over 600 youth and 50 Aboriginal communities throughout BC. The camp is held at Lester B. Pearson College and includes a residential and day-camper program.

Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Municipal Aquatics Program - Capacity / Sustainability

The Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T Municipal Aquatics Program is a joint initiative of the Sport and Recreation Branch and ActNow BC. The program is designed to support a partnership between the provincial and municipal governments to train, certify and employ Aboriginal youth as Swim Instructors and Lifeguards. The program is organized on a provincial scale with regional training programs coordinated between Municipal recreation departments and Aboriginal communities. Recreation Departments that are prepared to put resources into training and employing Aboriginal youth can apply for a matching grant to partially-offset the municipality's costs of offering advanced lifesaving and aquatic job training programs to identified Aboriginal youth. This program will be launched in the fall of 2006.

Aboriginal Program Contact Information

1. For more information about the Sport Branch Aboriginal Programs, please contact:
   Chris Graham
   Consultant, Sport and Recreation Branch
   (250) 387-4386
   chris.graham@gov.bc.ca
    

2. For further information about the Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of BC, please contact:
   Alex Nelson
   President, Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of BC
   (250) 544 – 8172
    

3. For further information about the Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Sport Excellence Program, please contact:
   Patrick Chenier
   Associate Director, Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of BC
   (250) 544 – 8172
   patrick.chenier@asra.ca
    

4. For further information about the Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Urban - Vancouver Program, please contact:
   Karen Lepine
   Program Co-ordinator, Urban Native Youth Association
   (604) 254 – 7732
   youthrec@unya.bc.ca
    

5. For further information about the Aboriginal Youth F.I.R.S.T. Junior Eagle and Provincial Outdoor Leadership Program, please contact:
   
   Wayne Smith
   Outdoor Leadership Program Coordinator
   (250) 361 – 1513
   waynewsmith@shaw.ca