Sport and Reconciliation – An Elder’s Story

Purpose of the Workshop

The purpose of this workshop is to assist coaches and athletes to better understand the colonial history of Canada through an exploration of an Elder’s experience in residential schools, as well as his experience as a soccer player, coach, and sport administrator.

Through this exploration and a small pre-workshop assignment, participants will:
• Have a better understanding of the word ‘reconciliation’ and why efforts of coaches to eliminate racism and reduce barriers for Indigenous athletes in sport are so important
• Become more familiar with circle process, personal introductions, and protocols
• Become more aware of terminology when speaking about Indigenous peoples
• Be introduced to concepts of athlete development through a holistic Indigenous perspective

Pre-workshop Reading & Viewing
Participants are asked to do the following before the workshop. This will take max 10 minutes.

1) Read the sports-related TRC Calls to Action #87-91 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of
Canada (reproduced below on p.3).
Why: The TRC provided Canada with a path forward to help heal and repair some of the harms caused
by residential schools and other Canadian policies. As coaches and athletes, it helps to know what the
TRC proposed related to sports, so you can work with your peers to help implement these ‘Calls to
Action’.
2) Watch this terminology video: How to talk about Indigenous people (3 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEzjA5RoLv0
Why: When speaking with (or about) Indigenous peoples, it’s helpful to use the appropriate
terminology and understand when to use the terms “First Nations”, “Indigenous,” “Aboriginal”,
“Metis”, “Inuit” or … specific Nations names like Songhees, Cowichan Tribes, Musgamagw
Dzawada’enuxw, etc.

Register Here!