Aboriginal Sport Circle facts for kids
| Formation | 1995 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit |
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Region
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Canada |
The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is a special group that started in 1995. It's a non-profit organization, meaning it doesn't aim to make money. The ASC is Canada's main organization for sports involving Aboriginal communities. It helps First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people get involved in sports. The goal is to make sure Indigenous people across Canada can be active and healthy. Each year, the ASC also gives out the national Tom Longboat Award. This award celebrates the best male and female Aboriginal athletes in Canada.
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How the ASC Started and Grew
The ASC was created to offer more sports chances for Aboriginal communities. People across Canada agreed this was important. Over time, the focus grew to include all kinds of physical activity, not just sports. The ASC works with many different sport groups from Canada's 10 provinces and 3 territories.
Some of these groups include the Aboriginal Sport & Wellness Council of Ontario. Others are the Federations of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle. A board of directors leads the ASC. This board includes a President and six other representatives.
What the ASC Aims to Do
The ASC is a non-profit group with a clear mission. Their main goal is to "support the health and well-being of Aboriginal people and communities through participation in sport, physical activity and recreation."
To do this, the ASC works on several things:
- They speak up for Aboriginal sports.
- They create programs that fit Aboriginal cultures.
- They help develop national programs for physical activity.
- They train people to become good leaders in sports.
Leadership and Management at ASC
The ASC focuses on strong leadership and good management. They want to attract volunteers, staff, and teachers who believe in their mission. These people help educate participants and support them in their sports journeys.
The organization also works closely with its management team. They aim to support, communicate, and work together to make the administration successful. This way, everyone involved, from participants to coaches, shares the ASC's vision. They all work towards the mission of helping Aboriginal people through sports.
Important Values and Principles
The ASC has three main values that guide their work. These are respect, accountability, and unity. They try to show respect by being fair to everyone when making decisions.
Accountability means being open and honest in all decisions. It also means trusting everyone involved in the organization. Finally, unity is about all members coming together. They work as one to create a strong, shared voice for Aboriginal sports.
The Tom Longboat Award
The Tom Longboat Award started in 1951. It was created to celebrate Canadian Aboriginal athletes who are active in sports. Today, the ASC gives this award to two top Aboriginal athletes each year. One award goes to a female athlete, and one to a male.
These athletes must show great skill and good sportsmanship. The award honors Tom Longboat, a famous athlete from the Onondaga Nation. Longboat was an amazing long-distance runner. He set world records and ran in big races like the Boston and Powderhall Marathons. He was a First Nations athlete who cared deeply about his community.
Winners of the Tom Longboat Award receive a $1500 bursary. This money helps them with their sports costs. They also get a paid trip to Toronto to accept their award. The ceremony takes place at the Canada Sports Hall of Fame. Each winner also receives a special Tom Longboat plaque.
Past Tom Longboat Award Winners
| Year | National Award Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Cameron Gayleard & Lyric Atchison |
| 2018 | Jocelyne Larocque & Michael Linklater |
| 2017 | James Lavallée & Joy Spear Chief-Morris |
| 2009 | Ammon Crowfoot & Brigette Lacquette |
Research for Indigenous Communities
The ASC is always working to learn more about physical activity in Indigenous communities. In December 2017, the ASC started the National Aboriginal Research Agenda. This program helps them understand Aboriginal policies and develop new programs.
The research helps the ASC reach its goals. Janice Forsyth, a former President of the ASC, said: "This is an important opportunity to advance Aboriginal interests in sport, physical activity, and physical education for the health and well-being of Aboriginal people and Aboriginal communities throughout Canada."
