The Conversation: The federal government selected “Right to Play” a non-indigenous led partner to be the prime delivery organization for indigenous sports programming in communities across Canada when an indigenous led alternative already exists: The Aboriginal Sports Circle (ASC) is Canada’s national voice for Aboriginal sport, which brings together the interests of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.

Established in 1995, the ASC was created through a national consensus-building process, in response to the need for more accessible and equitable sport and recreation opportunities for Aboriginal peoples. This mandate has expanded to include physical activity. The ASC is a collective of Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies. Each of them carries the mandate to represent the grassroots sport and recreation interests of the Aboriginal peoples of their regions. It is their voice that guides the direction of the ASC and establishes its national priorities. The ASC partners with mainstream sport organizations to bring expertise in athlete and coaching development to the Aboriginal Communities.