The federal government has announced a $1.23 million investment in three Indigenous organizations in Alberta to support youth sports and physical activity programs. The funding aims to expand opportunities for Indigenous youth while promoting health, development, and community engagement.
The investment was announced in Edmonton by Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden, who highlighted the positive impact that sports programs have on young people and local communities. He emphasized that sustained funding helps organizations deliver year-round programming and create meaningful opportunities for youth to pursue their goals and personal growth.
Funding will be distributed to the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta, the Creating Hope Society, and Tribal Chiefs Ventures Incorporated. The organizations work closely with Indigenous communities to increase participation in sports and recreational activities while fostering leadership, inclusion, and wellbeing.
The funding is part of the federal Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities program, which will provide $22.8 million to Indigenous organizations across Canada between 2026 and 2028. The initiative is designed to strengthen community-based programs that use sport as a tool for social development and positive outcomes.
Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta Chair Shannon Dunfield welcomed the investment, noting that sports can play a transformative role in the lives of young people. She said the funding will help expand access to programs that support Indigenous youth and provide safe, healthy opportunities for personal development.
The latest investment reflects Canada’s ongoing commitment to supporting Indigenous communities through sports, recreation, and youth engagement initiatives that contribute to long-term social and community benefits.
