Project proponents Sara-Lynne Knockwood-Sack and Ryan Francis reported that Sara-Lynne completed a series of community engagements in 14 Mi’kmaq communities (including Halifax), and compiled a summary of findings from those engagements. These engagements were part of the first of the project’s two phases. The first phase included a literature review and community engagement, and the second phase focused on validating and receiving feedback on findings and action, and hosting a sports summit.

Following those phases, the next step in the project is to draft a Final Action Plan.

At a recent Sport and Recreation Committee meeting, Sara-Lynne provided an overview of how the work was done. The project’s engagements yielded several key findings:

• Participation in SPAR is supported by social connection, family focused programming, female-centered spaces, visible role models, cultural connection and a sense of belonging.
• Much of the SPAR programming accessed was in-community, and included recreational activities, such as gardening, dancing, or family activities
• A low number of participants reporting participation in a provincial and national sport program.
• Walking in communities was most mentioned, across communities
• Participation in provincial and national sports was minimal, indicating ongoing inequities in access and pathways thereto.

The engagements revealed a series of factors that facilitate participation, as well as barriers to participation and challenges or gaps.

Barriers identified through the engagements include:

• Limited financial resources
• A lack of time
• A lack of transportation
• A lack of facilities
• A lack of equipment and safe infrastructure
• Low sense of belonging in mainstream spaces
• Racism and bullying
• Limited awareness of participation and high-performance pathways
• Mental health challengers
• Female-specific health considerations

Facilitating factors include:

• Socialization and fun
• Family-focused programming
• Health and wellness
• Female-centered opportunities
• Female role models
• A sense of belonging
• An opportunity to participate
• Existing initiatives to reduce barriers

Challenges and gaps include:

• Available and accessible resources
• Adult female age group
• Mental health
• Participation and competition pathways
• Health, wellness, and fitness education
• Gender disparity
• Celebrating females In SPAR

The community engagements also identified several opportunities for Mi’kmaq language and culture to be integrated into SPAR, with the potential inclusion of cultural and Elder teachings, smudging, language learning and Indigenous events and more cultural activities.

The SPAR Action Plan will be designed around building capacity and increasing participation in Indigenous sport, physical activity, recreation and culture at community and provincial levels.

This project is a response to evidence of lower rates of SPAR participation among Mi’kmaq women and girls, and is intended to encourage and facilitate participation, along with the physical, mental, emotional and culture wellness it supports.

The Action Plan is also meant to advance Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 89 and 90 (policy and program development for Indigenous people), and Calls to Justice 1.3, 2.5 and 7.7. (prioritizing resources, establishing sustainable funding for self-determined programs that assist in cultural learning and capacity building).