The Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic (ASCNWT) was formed in 1999 through collaboration between the Northwest Territories government and Native chiefs to promote wellness in at-risk Aboriginal youth. The ASCNWT incorporates Indigenous culture, traditions, and values into sports and recreation programs. It has gained participation across the 33 Native communities in the NWT, with over 16 programs. The ASCNWT evaluates programs through feedback from sharing circles and informal conversations to improve programs.

1. CASE STUDY:
C2 Northwest Territories
Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic
Promoting and enhancing wellness in at-risk Aboriginal youth by incorporating culture,
traditions and values into sports and recreational activities. 1

2. PROGRAM PROFILE
Location
Northwest Territories
Link
N/A
Setting
On- and off-reserves
Project implementation Level
Territorial
Physical Activity Approaches at the Ground-Level, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic 2

3. ORGANIZATIONS
Lead Organization
The Municipal and Community Affairs, NWT Sport
and Recreation Council
Funders
Mackenzie Recreation Association; Beaufort Delta
Sahtu Recreation Association
Partners
Dene Nation; Sport North; First Air; Den-endeh
Development Corp.; CKLB Radio; RCMP; 12
territorial sport organizations; government of NWT
Physical Activity Approaches at the Ground-Level, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic 3

4. PROJECT BEGINNINGS
In 1999, the government of the NWT and native chiefs
across the NWT collaborated to form the Aboriginal
Sports and Recreational Circle of the Western Arctic
to promote leadership skills and physical activity in
at-risk youth through sports, camps and coaching
certifications. ASCNWT participants have since gone
on to compete at high profile sporting competitions
such as the North American Indigenous Games, the
National Aboriginal Hockey Championships and the
Dene Arctic Sports and Games of the Vancouver 2010
Olympics. This organization has gained grassroots,
active participation with thousands of people across all
thirty-three Native communities in the NWT with no less
than 16 different programs.
Physical Activity Approaches at the Ground-Level, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic 4

5. CRITICAL FACTORS FOR SUCCESS
• Programs were truly representative of community needs, having been submitted as
proposals from participating communities themselves.
• ASCNWT’s strategic goals included participant support, athletic training, partnership
development, public relations and keeping Aboriginal traditions alive.
• ASCNWT shared program responsibilities with communities early with the intention
to eventually transfer ownership of the operations to them.
• An important strategy was the high visibility of staff members, especially in isolated
communities. Staff spent most of their time in the communities.
• The leadership of ASCNWT volunteers and board were crucial for the program’s
success.
Physical Activity Approaches at the Ground-Level, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic 5

6. ADVICE TO OTHER COMMUNITIES
• A physical presence in the community was more effective than email
correspondence in listening to the residents and gaining their support and
leadership.
• Such proposal driven programs require skilled staff, competent proposal-writing and
community acceptance, especially when approaching potential funders
• Strong, lasting relationships with the youth were seen as crucial
• The communities appreciated staff who came to learn and were open to their point
of view.
Physical Activity Approaches at the Ground-Level, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic 6

7. EVALUATION AND IMPACT
The ASCNWT evaluated programs using sharing circles organized after every
program. Participants discussed what they liked and disliked about the program and
how to fix what did not work. The culture around the ASCNWT has managed to
include informal conversations with friends and neighbours as useful feedback for the
evaluations.
Physical Activity Approaches at the Ground-Level, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic 7

8. RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
ASCNWT website
www.ascnwt.ca
Greg Hopf, Executive Director of ASCNWT
greg@ascwa.ca
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