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Anti-racism, Reconciliation
& Decolonization

The NWTRPA’s strategic goal number one is:
“The NWTRPA is working with intention to advance decolonization and reconciliation through its work, workplaces, and relationships.”

Actions the NWTRPA identified within its 2018-2021 Strategic Plan that fall under this Strategic Goal #1 are:

  • Invest in ongoing staff and Board development related to recreation, colonialism, decolonization, and reconciliation.                 

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  • Make decolonization/reconciliation a standing agenda item at all face-to-face Board meetings to consider progress on these strategies and identify future actions.

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  • Review and update NWTRPA programs to advance decolonization/reconciliation (offerings, content, delivery, protocols).        

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  • Enhance understanding of the relationship between colonialism and recreation in the NWT and advocate for decolonization/ reconciliation in the recreation profession.              

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  • Develop/sustain reciprocal relationships with Indigenous governments/ organizations that respect community priorities and ways of working.                                            

“We envision a territory where everyone has access to recreation programs and spaces that foster healthy families, strong cultures, and vibrant communities” 

– NWTRPA Vision

As recreation leaders, we are asking ourselves what we can do to combat racism generally, and anti-Black racism specifically, in our sector and communities. We are asking ourselves how we can honour the adage of truth before reconciliation and engage in decolonizing our sector.

 

We cannot understand recreation and parks, past and present, without considering racism and colonialism. Prejudice and discrimination are woven into the fabric of our sector and the first step in combating racism in recreation and parks is acknowledging that fact.

Resources

Below is a non-exhaustive list of resources related to Anti-racism, Reconciliation & Decolonization relevant to our sector. If you have a suggestion to include, please let us know.

 

 

  • TRC 95 Calls to Action 
    It is important to note that though there are specific calls related to Sports & Reconciliation (#87-91) many other Calls can be interpreted and engaged with across many different sectors.

 

  • MMIWG Calls for Justice
     

  • Every Child Matters
     

  • The Recreation Facilities Association of Nova Scotia developed an Anti-Racism and Discrimination Policy for Recreational Facilities.
     

  • The National Recreation and Parks Association (United States) published this report on Racial Equity in Parks and Recreation in 2015.
     

  • The Canadian Recreation and Parks Association has committed to A Journey to Address Systemic Racism and Discrimination. 
     

  • Parks for All is an Action Plan for Canada’s Park Community created in partnership by the CPRA and the Canadian Parks Council. It’s vision is to support an active and diverse parks community that cultivates shared goals, mutual respect, and collective action. 
     

  • The NWT Aboriginal Sports Circle continues to champion and support Indigenous Games in the NWT, as well as access to sport opportunities for Indigenous youth. 
     

  • Hotıì ts’eeda is a research support unit hosted by the Tłı̨chǫ Government, and governed primarily by Northwest Territories (NWT) Indigenous Governments. Hotıì ts’eeda connects NWT organizations, and communities with researchers and funding to achieve health research and training goals. It is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
     

  • Chloe Dragon-Smith’s Jane Glassco Fellowship policy paper ‘Creating Ethical Spaces: Opportunities to Connect with Land for Life and Learning in the NWT’ presents opportunities to expand and integrate on-the-Land learning into daily life in the NWT, though her work with Ethical Spaces is transferable to many aspects of working within recreation and on the land programming in the NWT.
     

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