JAYS CARE PROGRAMS FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES 4,885 Children and youth reached through programs and initiatives This past summer has been unreal. What makes me“ proud is the youth, for them coming out of their shells, mingling with other youth from communities. - Stephanie Taylor, KCA Rookie League” Coordinator Program Sites • Little Black Bear’s Band of Cree & • Taykwa Tagamou Nation ROOKIE LEAGUE PROGRAMS Assiniboine Nations • Fort Albany First Nation KCA (ON) • Okanese First Nation • Kashechewan First Nation • Animakee Wa Zhing 37 First Nation • Star Blanket Cree Nation • Chapleau Cree First Nation • Asubpeeschoseewagong First Nation (Grassy Narrows) • Peepeekisis Cree Nation • Wahgoshig First Nation • Naotkamegwanning First Nation (Whitefish Bay) • Carry-The-Kettle Nakoda Nation • Peawanuck First Nation • Timmins • Northwest Angle 33 First Nation LLRIB (SK) • Ochiichagwe’babigo’ining First Nation (Dalles) • Lac La Ronge Girls At Bat • Shoal Lake 40 First Nation • Sucker River • Fort MacKay First Nation • Wabaseemoong Independent Nation (Whitedog) • Hall Lake • Batchewana First Nation • Washagamis Bay (Obashkaandagaang) First Nation (Wash Bay) • Little Red River • Eel Ground First Nation • Wauzhushk Onigum Nation (Rat Portage) • Stanley Mission • Canadian Native Friendship Centre FHQ (SK) • Grandmother’s Bay of Edmonton • Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation • Piapot First Nation GIRLS PROGRAMS SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS • Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation JBGAB (ON) Right To Play (ON/BC/AB) • Pasqua First Nation • Moose Cree First Nation • Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation • Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation • Missinabie Cree Nation • Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation Children and youth reached through programs and initiatives 4885 Coaches and youth staff were trained to enhance their skills 384 Community members were engaged as spectators, participants 1620 or volunteers Program sites 88 Baseball diamonds have been built or refurbished in Indigenous 12 communities • Cat Lake First Nation RPAN Get Happy Summer Day Camp • Christ the King Elementary • Driftpile Cree Nation (AB) • Hamlet of Cambridge Bay • Whitehorse Elementary • Eabametoong First Nation • Hamlet of Kugluktuk • Holy Family Elementary • Fishing Lake Métis Settlement (AB) • Hamlet of Gjoa Haven • St. Elias Elementary (Haines Junction) • Gitanmaax Band (BC) • Hamlet of Taloyoak • Jack Hulland Elementary School • Hamlet of Kugaaruk • Elijah Smith Elementary School • Gitanyow Human Services (BC) • Municipality of Coral Harbour • Gitlaxt’aamiks Village Government (BC) • Hamlet of Whale Cove • École Émilie-Tremblay • Nibinamik First Nation • Municipality of Rankin Inlet • Johnson Elementary School (Watson Lake) • Nusdeh Yoh (BC) • Hamlet of Sanikiluaq • Pic Mobert First Nation • Municipality of Igloolik INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS • Sagitawa Friendship Society (AB) • Hamlet of Arctic Bay Field Of Dreams • Skeetchestn Indian Band (BC) • Hamlet of Clyde River • Abegweit First Nation ,PEI • Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (BC) Ehrlo Sport Venture • Moose Cree First Nation, ON • Tahltan Nation (BC) • Regina (SK) • Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, QC • Temiskaming Native Women’s Support Group • Pond Inlet, NU • Williams Lake Indian Band (BC) SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS • Animakee Wa Zhing 37 First Nation Softball Yukon • Wabauskang First Nation • Takhini Elementary Jays Care Foundation works in partnership with many First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities and urban Indigenous organizations across the territory now referred to as Canada. In the process, Jays Care Foundation takes seriously its responsibility to support the redressing of the legacy of residential schools and the advancement of the process of Canadian reconciliation. Jays Care Foundation recognizes that the territory now referred to as Canada is an unequal one, especially for children and youth identifying as Indigenous or living in Indigenous communities. Jays Care Foundation is focused on working towards the calls to action around sport and youth programs as laid out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report 2012. In order to answer these calls to action, Jays Care Foundation aims to amplify the voice of Indigenous children and youth, celebrate their success and achievements, and advocate for their right to equal opportunity. The following report provides a snapshot of the different ways Jays Care works with Indigenous communities to create spaces and experiences that support young people to achieve their potential. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Jays Care Foundation is located on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Jays Care also acknowledges this location is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. 90 % of kids made new friends and built stronger friendships since being in La Ronge Rookie League. 100 % of KCA coaches have seen children and youth demonstrate an increased connection to 92 their community. % of children and youth in FHQ said being a part of Rookie League made them feel proud of themselves and their accomplishments. Rookie League Programs Children and youth participated in Indigenous Rookie Community members were engaged as spectators, 910 League in 2019 1000+ participants at Indigenous Rookie League programs Coaches were trained to enhance their ability to create Baseball games or practices were held during 32 safe and engaging environments for children and youth 203 Indigenous Rookie League this year 25 Program sites hosted Indigenous Rookie League activities What is Indigenous Rookie League? Indigenous Rookie League is a unique inter-generational baseball program that increases physical and mental health outcomes for children and youth, while also promoting healing through inter-generational connections and community collaboration. How Did Indigenous Rookie League Start? In 2015, Jays Care Foundation partnered with Kenora Chiefs Advisory (KCA), an alliance of eight independent First Nations in Northwestern Ontario, to support the creation of a baseball league aimed at addressing growing mental health concerns among youth in communities. The idea was to use baseball as a tool to engage children, youth and adults in regular inter-generational play and enhance connections between all community members. What evolved was Indigenous Rookie League, a league that enabled young and old to play together, enhanced community pride, and that created safe space for youth who often sat on the fringes. What Makes the Program Unique? FAMILY LEAGUE Indigenous Rookie League is unique in its design as it focuses on social connection, health and wellness not just for children and youth, but for the whole community. The goals of the program reflect this family and community centred approach: 1. Enhance the self confidence and self-esteem of children and youth 2. Enhance the overall physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health of children and youth 3. Connect communities though sport and provide opportunities for the sharing of culture 4. Create opportunities for inter-generational connection through sport and play 5. Promote strong community leadership and provide leadership opportunities to youth 6. Provide opportunities for success through sport that children and youth can apply to other areas of their lives POINTS SYSTEM Indigenous Rookie League is designed for groups of neighbouring Indigenous nations interested in creating inter-community and inter-generational baseball leagues. When a league is formed, participating communities are provided with a standardized point system that allows game play to focus less on the skill level of participants and more on getting the community engaged. Below is an example of how the point system can work toward the programs goals: • Every player that attends 2 points • Team practices 10 points • Every fan that attends 2 points • Meal provided for visiting team 10 points • Announcer with speaker 5 points • Leadership/Councillor in 15 points set-up to call game Attendance • Winning team 5 points • Chief in Attendance (welcomes 20 points • Elder opening game from 10 points or thanks visiting team) Home Team • Chief playing in the Adult innings 20 points Rookie League Feature: Kenora Chiefs Advisory GROWINGGROWING THE GAME THE IN TREATYGAME 3 IN TREATY 3 When Stephanie Taylor took up the role of League Coordinator in April 2019, Rookie League was already well-known among KCA’s member nations. However, Stephanie saw opportunities to deepen the impact and build on the existing successful foundation already laid out. LEADERSHIP – Stephanie’s vision started with greater community involvement, and to achieve this she was going to need the support of community leadership. She adjusted the point system to celebrate engagement of the leadership. Teams can score 15 points if Chief or Council Members come to a game, or a substantial 20 points for each Elder in attendance. The ultimate points tally (25) is reserved for any Chief, council member or Elder who picks up a bat, ball or glove and plays in the final inning of a game. SOCIAL MEDIA – To grow the game across such a large geographical area, KCA uses social media to raise awareness and build excitement. This year’s success had a lot to do with the utilization of social media platforms. Teams are awarded 3 points for live streaming their games on Facebook which allows folks from all across Treaty 3 to engage to engage in the program