Learning Objectives

• Understanding the role of sport in Aboriginal communities;
• Understanding and positively influencing the community in which you coach;
• Coaching the whole person; coaching beyond the physical to include the mental (intellectual and emotional), spiritual, and cultural;
• Responding to racism in sport;
• Establishing a code of behaviour for your team that reflects differences and that addresses racism; and
• Helping those you coach make healthy lifestyle choices.

Long-term Objectives

• Making the wisdom of Aboriginal culture available to both Aboriginal and mainstream sport;
• Increasing awareness of sport and support for the ACM among Aboriginal communities and the mainstream sport community in Canada;
• Allowing coaches and communities the opportunity to embrace culturally sensitive practices so they can better meet the diverse needs of Aboriginal athletes in Canada;
• Having coaches at all levels of sport use material rom the ACM in their day-to-day interactions with Aboriginal athletes;
• Creating opportunities for positive dialogue between administrators, facilitators, coaches, and athletes about how the CM should evolve to meet the constantly changing needs of young Aboriginal athletes; and
• Increasing the number of NCCP-certified Aboriginal coaches.

Coaching young people offers an opportunity to make a difference in this world. Sport can develop a sense of community and common purpose, and foster personal and community development in Aboriginal youth.