Mi’kmaw Physical Activity Leadership Program

A Nova Scotia Success Story What is the MPAL program?

 A cost-share project between the NS Department of Communities, Culture, and Heritage and each respective Mi’kmaw Community  Through a partnership between the Province and the Communities, the program aims to increase the number of local staff who are planning and implementing comprehensive plans to improve the participation in health enhancing physical activity MPAL Partners across the Province

Membertou – May 2013

Annapolis Valley/Glooscap – May 2013

Eskasoni – June 2013

Acadia – Sept. 2013

We’koqma’q – Oct. 2013

Paq’tnkek – Nov. 2013

Wagmatcook – Sept. 2014

Potlotek – March 2015

Millbrook – Oct. 2016 The Provincial Role The Community Role

 Provide funding for position  Provide funding for position  Provide resources to inform and assist  Develop a job description with with strategy development, which assistance from the province, and hire a includes advice and support coordinator  Fund citizen needs-assessment survey,  Develop a written strategic planning and results anaylsis process with the province (3 month mark)  Capacity building support  Develop appropriate partnerships at the  Physical Activity Practitioners local level Exchange (PAPE)  Create a physical activity strategy and  Physical Literacy Training work on implementation  MPAL Professional Development and  Attend provincially supported training team building sessions and network building  Provide an annual report to the province Food and Fitness as Medicine; What role does the MPAL program play?

• Creating New Opportunities for Youth • Building Partnerships and Relationships • Creating New Infrastructure • Incorporating Active Living into Everyday Life • Connecting our members to their Culture • Physical Activity Strategy Development • Building Community Aquatics Development Family Recreation and Culture Park Glooscap First Nation Family Recreation and Culture Park

Eskasoni First Nation – Eskasoni Youth Motivators (EYM)

• EYM is derived from a Mi’kmaq word which means “I am here”. • Team members from the RCMP, NADACA, Sports & Rec. Dept., and Mental Health Dept. • Staff aims to motivate youth, connect them with the services they need, and encourage living by the 7 sacred teachings. • Rewards system for students that demonstrate kindness or leadership – Football Program

• The program started in 2015 and now has 80 – 100 kids enroll in Spring and Fall Seasons • Today youth from Eskasoni make up 65% of all Cape Breton Minor Football Registrations! We’koqma’q Sky Trail Development We’koqma’q Snow Shoe & Hike Program Wagmatcook First Nation Hockey Program – Walking in the Footsteps Working Together - Programming

Unama’ki Surf Program

Unama’ki Riders L’nu Kamakn Snowboarding Team Working Together – Special Events

• Mi`kmaq Valley Youth Gathering • PGA Golf Sessions • Provincial Volunteer Awards Working Together Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer Games Working Together

• Active Cape Breton Communities • Valley Active Communities Committee • RNS Conference 2017 • Unama’ki Soccer Association • NS Mi`kmaw Sport Summit Questions?

Krista Devoe [email protected]

Jordan Smith [email protected]