As 2025 comes to a close, ISWO celebrates a year filled with impactful programs, inspiring events, and meaningful milestones. This year has been a testament to the power of sports and culture as a way in which Indigenous folks and communities can come together to share experiences.

From hosting cultural and sports exchange programs for Indigenous youth to showcasing the talent of Indigenous athletes and knowledge of Indigenous youth on national and international stages, we have a lot to reflect on and feel a shared sense of pride in.

From Nunavut to the GTA

With our partners at Toronto High Park FC, Ontario Soccer, and BMO, we hosted an inspiring soccer clinic for Indigenous youth girls soccer players, including 40 girls from Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay who travelled to the GTA as part of a powerful cultural and sports exchange experience.

Team Ontario Stormed the Ice

Team Ontario showcased its talent and determination at the 2025 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) held this past May in Kamloops. Both the female and male teams delivered strong performances, finishing 4th overall in their respective divisions.

Their efforts highlighted the skill and resilience of Indigenous athletes, representing their communities with pride on the national stage, and the team at ISWO could not be more proud of their work on and off the ice!

Girls' Day in Six Nations

The 2025 Girls Day took place in Six Nations of the Grand River. Open to girls ages 15-19,  the day was filled with discussion about women's roles and cultural teachings, and included a makeup basics course and a free makeup kit with MUA Regan Staats.

Provincial Basketball Took Over Kingston

In June, ISWO partnered with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte to host the annual Ontario Native Basketball Invitational (ONBI) in Kingston, Ontario.

Tourism Kingston came on board as a new partner for this, and we're grateful for their support in co-hosting the event with us. Tourism Kingston provided the ONBI organizing committee with access to local officials, elders and vendors for the event, and also generously contributed resources in-kind, like the Queen's University gymnasium facilities. Queen's University was a gracious host, and participants shared many positive comments about the event location.

Former NBA player Kris Joseph ran a skill development session and gave a motivating speech to the athletes present. Joseph also brought along two teams from Nunavik to compete at ONBI.

In total, there were 17 teams spread out across three divisions (Male 19U, Female 19U and coed 3-on-3 Elementary) and approximately 160 athletes in attendance.

Global Masters Sport Event Returned to Ottawa

The third Masters Indigenous Games (MIG) brought together over 500 athletes from across the globe for a vibrant celebration of sport, culture, and community. Hosted in Ottawa with great success, the Games showcased the incredible talent and resilience of Indigenous athletes while fostering connections across borders.

In total, there were 25 partners, 11 Cultural Village vendors, and 20 performers who all helped to make the event a success.

Youth Olympics Come Back for the Indigenous Community

The Native Youth Olympics were hosted by the Aamjiwnaang First Nation from August 20-21. The 2-day event featured sports such as track & field, basketball, ball hockey, and canoeing.

ISWO provided canoes and instruction for the canoeing experience at the Inky Jig Pond to cap off the first day of sports and competition. The day had begun with local elders providing opening prayers and a drum group setting the tone. 3-on-3 basketball, ball hockey, and lacrosse demonstrations and skill development highlighted the day of team sports.

The local run club supported the timing for the track & field competition on the second day of events. Sandwiches and wraps were kindly provided by the hosts to participants.

Every participating community stepped up with volunteers, preparation and unmatched enthusiasm to contribute to the success of the event. The socialization between youth, impressive athletic performance, and overall fun were the highlights of the event.

"Native Youth Olympics 2025 was a successful sporting event, it brought together children and families from several different First Nation communities," said Tyson Rogers, Lead Aamjiwnaang Organizer.

"It was great seeing our youth build connections with peers from other Nations. The NYO could not have happened without the support from communities, volunteers and partners."

There were approximately 75 youth participating each day. The Native Youth Olympics have been taking place for over 30 years and have been on hiatus due to COVID for the past several years. In the revival of NYO, Aamjiwnaang stepped up to host with the support of all participating communities and ISWO.

"A special thank you goes to the NYO Committee, sponsors and partners for your determination, dedication, and countless hours of work to bring this event together, said Ashley Williams, Aamjiwnaang Assisting Organizer.

"Your commitment made it possible for us to not only compete, but also to honour traditions, strengthen culture, and uplift our youth through sport," Williams added.

Building Our Bundle Conference in Thunder Bay

The Building Our Bundle Conference brought youth, families, and communities together for a transformative cultural camp in Neebing and Thunder Bay. Hosted by our Standing Bear program, the event fostered healing, learning, and connection through land-based teachings. Participants left inspired, grounded, and ready to bring these lessons back to their communities.

Women & Girls Cultural Series workshops on Cornwall Island

This fall, ISWO’s Women & Girls Program hosted the Women & Girls Cultural Series on Cornwall Island in southeastern Ontario. The series featured five engaging workshops designed to celebrate and preserve Indigenous traditions while fostering community and connection.

Participants had the opportunity to learn ribbon skirt making, beading, traditional medicines, basket making, and moccasin making. Each workshop provided hands-on experience and cultural teachings, empowering women and girls to explore their heritage and develop new skills.

ISWO Brought Arctic Sports to Enjdat in Mexico

ISWO had the honour of attending Enjdat, the 26th National Meeting of Indigenous and Traditional Games and Sports of Mexico. This event brings together diverse Indigenous communities across Mexico and around the world to celebrate culture, foster connections, and explore new opportunities.

We also had the privilege of bringing a delegation of Arctic sports athletes from our 2025 Masters Indigenous Games to Enjdat to share their sport. The Arctic sports team conducted 4 demonstrations in as many days, and held a competition open to the public. Participants ranging from 8-60 years old took part in various Arctic sports events such as the Alaskan high kick, one-hand reach, arm pull, and scissor broad jump.

Standing Bear Travelled Abroad

The Standing Bear team and the Chippewa Youth Ambassador Group (CYAG) went overseas in November to present at the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand.

This was an experience the youth won't soon forget. After months of preparing their presentation and fundraising to cover the costs of the trip, CYAG's presentation at the conference showcased the impact of project-based youth leadership and how providing young people with opportunities to engage in meaningful initiatives can lead to powerful community outcomes.

Quick Stats From ISWO

• Ran 8 Standing Bear Making Tracks events

These covered topics like astronomy, moccasin making, women and girls' empowerment, and MMIWG awareness.

• Ran 9 sports camps

In partnership with communities and organizations across Ontario, ISWO was able to host camps across a variety of sports. These included soccer, volleyball, ice hockey, canoeing, archery, lacrosse, wrestling, and basketball.

• Ran 6 Bridge programs

Of these programs, three were online Digital Tech Programs, two were in-person Community Health and Wellness programs, and one was an online Community Health and Wellness program. In total, 100 youth ages 16-34 participated in Bridge programs in 2026. Bridge is looking forward to hosting more programs in these streams.

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