The Government of Canada is committed to supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in building strong and healthy communities across the country. The transformative power of sport is key to achieving this goal.
Today, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), highlighted an investment of $853,000 over two years for sport and recreation opportunities across Yukon through the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) program. He also met with representatives of the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle and members from the Council of Yukon First Nations, SSDIC funding recipients. He had the chance to hear directly from youth on how they are reaping the benefits of the program and how it is important to them to have access to culturally relevant sport and recreation activities in their communities.
The Yukon funding recipients for 2024-2026 are:
- The Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle ($520,850 over two years) to expand access to meaningful sport opportunities across the territory. The Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle has been a funding recipient since the program launch in 2019.
- The Liard First Nation ($163,000 over two years) to offer outdoor recreation activities based on the input of community members.
- The Village of Teslin ($29,000) to host a multi-sport youth camp, including accommodation for youth travelling from other communities.
- The Council for Yukon First Nations ($140,600 over two years) to hold holistic programming combining sport skill development, traditional activities, and health and wellness education. The programming is specially designed for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people, addressing priorities identified in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Calls for Justice.
The SSDIC program is currently accepting applications for the next two years (2026-2028). Funded projects will be designed and led by Indigenous organizations and community members to address self-identified social development goals, including providing alternatives to risky behaviour and improving opportunities for education and employment.
Since the program's launch in 2019, hundreds of Indigenous communities have benefited from funded projects across the country and continue to do so.
