Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario partners with the province
MISSISSAUGA – The Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO) is pleased to announce a partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport through a new multi-year funding agreement to support sport and recreation development for Aboriginal peoples across the province. This new funding assists the province in investing in the health & well being of Aboriginal youth across the province through ASWCO’s new initiative called the “Sport Pathway for Ontario Native Wellness”.
This funding agreement will help ASWCO provide much needed programs and services to Aboriginal youth in their First Nations’ communities. The formal funding announcement will take place, Friday, May 15 at 4pm in Rama First Nation at the Mnjikaning Arena and Sports Ki (MASK) recreation centre. Come and join in the celebration of this exciting new sport and recreation initiative for Aboriginal youth and learn more about the new opportunities that will be coming to First Nation communities in Ontario.
This announcement will be held prior to ASWCO kicking off their 1st Annual Ontario Native Basketball Invitational Tournament. The tournament features six boys teams and four girls teams, competing for the inaugural championship throughout the weekend.
ASWCO will unveil new initiatives such as multi-sport camps, youth symposiums, and First Nations’ Youth tournaments. This new funding has made it possible for Ontario to bid to host the 2017 North American Indigenous Games, for the first time in the province’s history.
“We are pleased and grateful to be able to provide more opportunities to our people to live a healthy, active lifestyles,” said Marc Laliberte, President of Aboriginal Sports & Wellness Council of Ontario. “Chi meegwetch to the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport for their past and continuing generosity and wisdom.”
Coinciding with the funding announcement, ASWCO will also be launching their Power to Play Equipment and Leadership Program which will support and strengthen efforts at the grassroots level to support the delivery of sustainable and high quality programs that bring sport and recreation to more Aboriginal peoples; resulting in healthier communities. The programs first intake will result in approximately $40,000 being distributed across the province for equipment purchases and leadership training and development.
For more information on the funding announcement and basketball tournament, please contact: wesley.marsden@aswco.ca 416-479-0928