Community members across Manitoba, including in remote First Nations like St. Theresa Point, are being asked to share their thoughts on sports and recreation needs through a new Community Input Survey launched by the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council Inc. on June 15, 2026.
The survey aims to gather feedback from Indigenous athletes, coaches, parents, volunteers, and general community members to help shape future programs and services. The council wants to better understand local interests and priorities, especially with the 2026 Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games on the horizon.
Those games are set for two locations this summer: Norway House Cree Nation from July 8 to 12, and Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation from August 10 to 15. Sports will include badminton, volleyball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, archery, and athletics. The event was originally planned for 2025 but was postponed due to widespread wildfires that affected many Manitoba communities.
St. Theresa Point First Nation is an Oji-Cree fly-in community on Island Lake, about 650 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. Accessible mainly by plane or seasonal winter roads, remote communities like St. Theresa Point often face unique challenges in accessing sports programs and equipment. The council, which has offices in Winnipeg and Headingley, says community visits and consultations are central to its work. It offers to meet with Chief and Council, education staff, health workers, and volunteers to develop recreation opportunities directly with residents.
“Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, volunteer, or community member, your experiences and ideas are valuable,” the council states on its survey page. The input collected will directly inform how the council designs its programs and services across the province.
The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council Inc. was established in 1988 and incorporated in 1994, serving as the Provincial-Territorial Aboriginal Sports Body for Manitoba. It is supported financially by the Province of Manitoba and the Government of Canada through Sport Canada. Its broader mission includes advancing Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action related to sports as tools for empowerment and reconciliation.
