" Promoting Healthy, Active Lifestyles in Mi'kmaw communities 
through the tool of Sports & Recreation..."

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Mandate of the Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Sports
& Recreation Circle

The NSMSRC is mandated to provide these services to the registered Mi'kmaw population of Nova Scotia, both on and off-reserve through the mandate received from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs.  Obviously, a huge reason for our initiatives is the steadily growing population of our communities, and specifically our youth here in Nova Scotia.  In view of this population growth, there are continuous needs that have to be addressed by our organization to our people in the areas of fitness, sports, recreation, culture and social.  It is imperative that a co-ordinated effort be made to improve the quality of life for our people through initiatives that are available to us through sports and recreation.

This co-ordinated effort in our view begins with participation and active living on a daily basis as much as possible. It is well known in the communities that, not only do our own people have to play an important role in the process of self healing but responsible agencies and groups must now take the steps necessary to curb the declining health of Aboriginal peoples.

This is the foundation of our organization, and the blueprint to Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Sports & Recreation Circle. The focus is to provide every opportunity for all Mi’kmaw people to participate in activities that will either sustain or improve their well being.  It will also build the skills necessary for the competitive athletes to prepare for competitions whether they are Aboriginally linked or not. We aim to strengthen the incorporation of sports and recreation into the lifestyle of our Mi’kmaw people, thus creating a balance of mind, body and spirit in a holistic view while improving their quality of life.

The Four (4) Prime Objectives of the NSMSRC are:

1.
The creation of sustained sport and recreation organization that will represent our Aboriginal people and communities & the development of community sport & rec models situated right at the people’s level.
2.
The grassroots level participation in sports and recreation by all ages and genders of Mi’kmaw people in Nova Scotia as identified by the enclosed Grassroots Level Document that has recently been developed.
3.
Long term Coach / Athlete / Officials training and development.
4.
Development and participation at the high performance level for athletes. (Provincial, national, Canada Games and NAIG Games).

With ongoing funding on a yearly basis to the NSMSRC, many worthwhile initiatives can and will take place such as leadership development, communications program developed throughout communities (development of NSMSRC interactive Website), hiring of a community development officer(s) to develop and assist with existing programs in place and to help build new ones. We will also target increasing the training for Aboriginal coaches, officials, administration/organizations and their development in communities.  As well, there are such things as outdoor leadership program opportunities need that will be part of our long term plans.

The NSMSRC also wants to build on the great opportunity to develop our very own Aboriginal Role Model Program (sport specific) to assist in removing barriers for our Aboriginal athletes at high performance levels of sport. We have the vision in building opportunities through sport development camps, creating an inventory on data via research of existing community sport programs/facilities/staff.

Opportunities in promotion, training, access and participation to high performance provincial, national and international events, and the development of support and awareness networks in combating barriers in Aboriginal sports... are only some of the issues that our NSMSRC will have to deal with on an ongoing basis.

Lastly, the NSMSRC feels that there is a great importance in relaying the message of Fair Play in Sports & Recreation within our communities.  This will be very important in the growing stages of the NSMSRC.

 

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Copyright © 2000 Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Youth, Recreation & Active Circle for Living (MYRACL LTD.)
Last modified: June 28, 2004