Indigenous Sport and Rec Certificate

Project Overview

The 10-month certificate program includes three online courses and participation in a one-week mandatory in-class session. Participants learn the valuable role sport and recreation plays in Indigenous peoples' self-identity, the key policies that influence recreation, sport and physical activity in Indigenous communities, and the historical and contemporary roles of physical activity in the lives of Indigenous people.

The certificate program's model provides a sense of cohesion among participants as well as valuable networking opportunities with colleagues, allowing them to share best practices and resources for success.

Essential Communication Skills

Michael Swampy, '17 BEd, recalls his high school basketball coach with both fear and fondness. "Off the court he was the nicest guy, but on the court… He's 6'9 and if you turned over the ball he'd let you know," Swampy laughs. He attended Jasper Place High School after moving from Maskwacis, Samson Cree Nation, to Edmonton - a dramatic change from a small First Nations community to a big city and a big school where there weren't many other Indigenous students. Having a coach who understood where he came from helped that transition. "He's Metis himself, and our school councillor let him know about students from the reserve and how we had a different lifestyle, so he knew how to approach us and talk to us in ways that weren't threatening," Swampy says.

Now that Swampy is preparing to start his career teaching physical education to Indigenous youth, he feels the Indigenous Sport and Recreation Certificate, a partnership between the faculties of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation and Native Studies, will be an asset for recreation professionals. "If you're a non-Indigenous person who wants to teach these kids, you have to learn how to communicate with Aboriginal people, how to become more relatable to Aboriginal students," Swampy explains. "The typical physical education degree doesn't teach you this type of communication, and that's a huge aspect of working with Indigenous youth."

Invest in the Power of Sport

It takes a minimum of $120,000 yearly to operate this program, and more to expand it, while keeping it affordable for recreation professionals. Further support from donors would allow for new course development and improved online teaching technology for a more comprehensive learning experience.

Donor investment is critical to ensuring sport and recreation professionals acquire the knowledge they need to enhance Indigenous youth participation in sport and rec.

Giving Theme

Culture & Society

Ways to Give

Memorial/Tribute Gifts, Charitable Gift Annuities