b'ACTIVE COMMUNITIESThompson says. Equipment costs,success stories to share with Indigenousmuch to do so they have those supports. coaching and management capacity,youth. Johnston participated in theSport is a relatively low-cost investment at and venue spaces are just some of theNorth American Indigenous Games inthe start, and it can turn lives around. And barriers Indigenous communities havethe canoe/kayak sport category whenits something Indigenous communities to deal with.younger and now works with ISWO tocan do on their own without facing the teach the sport. same obstacles they face elsewhere, at These barriers will have to be overcomeleast to the same extent. And sport is by organizational efforts that engage We see such natural athletic talent inan equalizer. If you have the talent and Indigenous participation at a grass-rootsour youth, but the support services arethe work ethic and the support you need, level to harness local energies whilechallenged, says JP Gladu. We have soyou can go anywhere.marshalling and allocating resources on a larger scale. Steps are already being taken to put the needed framework in place. The Chiefs of Ontario (COO)Community Connectionpassed a resolution calling for the creation of an Indigenous-led sports bodythatisrelevant,connectedto the Landand accountable to First Nations, on and off-reserve, and mandating theIve met such incredible Aboriginal establishment of a working groupbusiness leaders in this jobbut to initiate, develop and construct athey always make time for the land, new entity in cooperation with Firstsays CCAB president and CEO JP Nation communities. This new entityGladu. No matter how busy we are, will be able to leverage and build onwe stay connected to the land and the proven expertise and success ofour culture.existing programs. ISWO is a case in point when it comesThis bond to the land, and staying to organizations that have alreadyphysically connected to it, has encour-proven they can be successful. ISWOaged some Indigenous people to start is recognized by the Aboriginal Sporttheir own successful eco-tourism busi-Circle (ASC) and the North Americannesses. These businesses vary fromStaying connected to nature:Indigenous Games (NAIG) Council,guided nature treks, to canoe trips toCCAB President JP Gladuand is the designated sporting bodyfishing and hunting expeditions. As for the development, selection andglobal travellers interest in authenticKylik Kisoun Taylor, CCABs 2019 managementofTeamOntarioforexperiences grows, so too do therecipient of the Young Aboriginal participation in the National Aboriginalopportunities for Indigenous peopleEntrepreneuraward,starteda HockeyChampionships(NAHC)to share their sporting heritage andsuccessful business rooted in his and NAIG.provide these authentic outdoorculture and the knowledge and skills athletic experiences to travellers inhe acquired to live on the land on Despite serious resource challenges,the Canadian wilderness.his own. Tundra North Tours allows ISWO has proven it can produce theKylik to share his love of the Arctic kinds of Indigenous athletic successwith visitors from around the world, stories that can serve as role models.providing them with a unique physical Thompson cites Bailey Meawasige asand wholesome experience.an example, an Indigenous athlete who participated in the National AboriginalEntrepreNorth, a Yellowknife-based Hockey Championships (NAHC) as aprogram, provides Indigenous busi-player with Team Ontario and has nowness mentorship and leadership joined the coaching staff for the team.coaching to Indigenous Canadians who want to launch their own busi-Meawasige helped lead the womensnesses. Among the beneficiaries team to a Bronze finish in the 2019have been a startup canoe adventure NAHC in Whitehorse and is currently thebusiness in Yukons Peel watershed, ISWO North Central regional coordinator.a startup sport hunting operation Meawasige says her involvement inin Kugluktuk, and an existing busi-sports is what drives her to pursue hernessinNormanWells,NTthat goal of joining the police force. combats Indigenous stereotypes by highlighting positive traditions Thompson adds that Keir Johnston,Young Aboriginal Entrepreneur Awardthrough hikes, fishing, canoeing and a member of the Chippewas of therecipient Kylik Kisoun Taylor wildlife tours.Thames, is one of ISWOs favourite 38A CCAB PUBLICATION2020'