Metis Nation of Ontario Sports Initiative

The Métis Nation of Ontario Sport Initiative funded through the ACTIVE 2010: Aboriginal Sport Initiative by the Ministry of Health Promotion, is a three year project.

ACTIVE 2010: The Aboriginal Sport Initiative has a focus of increasing physical activity levels of the citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Obesity and other health concerns are a result of inactivity and are a growing concern for all Canadians. The funding offered to us by the Ministry provides an excellent opportunity for Métis citizens to get active as participants, coaches, and role models and all with the thought of improving our health and quality of life.

This program will be implemented in stages between January 2006 and March 31st 2008:

• Community Mobilization Training
  
  
• Leadership Development Training Part A
  
  
• Employment opportunity - Community Sport Leader. Thanks to the Métis Nation of Ontario Training Initiative for financially supporting the hiring of salaried employees to fill these 9 positions
  
  
• "Find Your Sport, Try Them All" events in each individual community - through a survey process all Métis Communities will be offered choices assisting them in individualizing which sport initiative will best suit the needs of their particular community. Results of the surveys will determine the top 5 sporting initiatives that will be trialed at these events. "Find Your Sport, Try Them All" events will be held 3 times over the course of the next year in each community.
  
  
• Leadership Development Training Part B
  
  
• Development of a Sport League in the selected Métis Communities

What is funded?

Each of the following will be offered at no cost:

• Community Mobilization Training - allowing representatives from each Métis Community an opportunity to develop the skills necessary to inform and promote this initiative.
  
  
• Leadership Development Training (Part A & B) - through a partnership with the Ontario Aboriginal Sport Circle up to 15 individuals in EACH Community will be offered the opportunity of participating in a certified Coaching Clinic.
  
  
• All necessary equipment to fulfill "Find Your Sport, Try Them All" events.
  
  
• All necessary equipment for final implementation of Sport Initiative chosen in Métis Community.
  
  

What is NOT funded?

• Administration fees
  
  
• Salary dollars … therefore … no facilitator dollars
  
  
• Facility rentals or purchases (example: ice rinks, gymnasiums)
  
  
• Meals and/or healthy snacks
  
  

What does the MNO Sport Initiative look like?

Individuals involved in the creation of the proposal for this project had to provide definite responses for most of the questions asked. However, the Ministry in recognition of the geographical challenges some Communities face, have allowed for a degree of flexibility in implementation. Therefore, subject to the guidelines of the Ministry and using the series of events planned for each Community over the course of the next three years, each individual Community will be given an opportunity to have a major say in determining the Sport Initiative selected for their own area.

Physical Recreation Manual

This initiative originated from the Communities In Action Fund provided by the Ministry of Health Promotion in 2004. Final reporting is expected in June 2006.

The MNO Health Branch has:

• Contracted a Physical Fitness Specialist to create an easy to use manual. The manual is subdivided into sections:
  • Youth
    
  • Adults
    
  • Seniors
    
• Exercises are outlined and there are tracking sheets for personal use
  
• Trained the Health Staff at the 2005 AGA
  
• Designed workshops which should be held in your Community soon
  
• Developed information to be distributed at the workshops. Also available to those unable to attend.
  

Please contact your local MNO Health Coordinator to obtain your FREE personal copy to assist in you in Getting Active daily.