AFN launches IndigenACTION program

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo launched an initiative to support and enhance opportunities for Aboriginal peoples across Canada through active lifestyle, sport and fitness.
The program is called IndigenACTION, and was announced July 18 with AFN Youth Council Chairman Joshua Gottfriedson and Olympic Waneek Horn Miller during a fun-run event to kick-off the program at the University of Winnipeg.
"Through IndigenACTION, we will harness the spirit of the recent Olympic Games, where Indigenous nations, Canadians and the world came together to celebrate our cultures, sport and competition," Atleo said.
The AFN will be facilitating the development of a national strategy for IndigenACTION by holding round table discussions with athletes, sports institutions, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors to identify opportunities for young Aboriginal athletes and fitness and wellbeing in First Nation communities.
"Through IndigenACTION we reach out to gather the voices of all interested parties, engage partnerships and move forward together to build stronger, healthier Indigenous peoples and communities and a stronger, healthier Canada," Atleo said.
In addition to exploring ways to improve support for Aboriginal athletes, IndigenACTION will also help improve opportunities for all Indigenous peoples by promoting healthy lifestyles, community togetherness and economic development opportunities at the community level.
"We're reaching out to all groups to work together to ensure Indigenous peoples have the opportunities to compete at all levels, to achieve their dreams by growing themselves and their communities through sport and healthy, active lifestyles," Gottfriedson said.
IndigenACTION is led by the AFN Youth Council and Horn Miller, a Mohawk woman who competed in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, in water polo.
"In order for all Indigenous nation to reach our full potential, we need to better ensure all our peoples have the opportunities to achieve optimum health and wellbeing. A healthy and happy individual becomes a healthy contributor to the overall success of our nations," Horn Miller said.