Wellness Rooted
in Identity
Well Nation is a program rooted in Indigenous health and wellness intended to improve access to education and sports, fitness, and recreation opportunities in order to improve the overall well-being of Indigenous peoples and their communities.
Core Components of the
Well Nation Program
The Well Nation program is designed to enhance Indigenous health and wellness through targeted initiatives. By focusing on resource development, active engagement, and the Wellness Warrior campaign, we aim to uplift communities across Ontario.
Resource Development
Empowering communities with culturally relevant tools and training, ISWO provides educational materials on nutrition, physical literacy, athlete development, coaching, and sport program delivery. Resources are tailored for all ages and designed to inspire confidence, build local capacity, and support self-determined paths to wellness.
Active Engagement & Training
This hands-on component brings wellness to life through training, peer support, and fitness experiences. With 28 hours of instruction and 8 weeks of community development, the Well Nation Fitness Program equips Indigenous youth and leaders with tools to lead healthier lives and spark long-term change in their communities.
Wellness Warrior Campaign
Celebrating Indigenous champions of wellness, ISWO spotlights everyday role models making positive choices for themselves and their communities. From elders to youth, the Wellness Warriors series inspires others through stories, videos, and cultural pride — amplifying Indigenous wellness across Turtle Island.
Become a Wellness Warrior
Empower your community by becoming a Wellness Warrior and promoting health and wellness initiatives.
Indigenous Centric
Health and Well-Being
Well Nation ensures all of its programming is sustainable and provides customization options based on individual community needs, challenges and circumstances. By using Indigenous perspectives of health and wellness the program addresses physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of well being.
Celebrating Our Impact: Building Wellness Warriors since 2018
Since its inception, Well Nation has experienced remarkable growth and engagement. With over 1,800 members, our community is thriving, and our initiatives are making a real difference.
New members in ISWO's online wellness membership since 2020 through a robust tech focused wellness strategy.
Starting as an online initiative, Well Nation now has boots on the ground impact through training and on-site programming.
Tailored Programs for Community Wellness
Well Nation prioritizes sustainability and customization in its programming. We adapt our initiatives to meet the unique needs of each community.
Community Focus
Programs are shaped by community input for greater impact.
Sustainable Solutions
We ensure our initiatives are sustainable and adaptable to evolving community needs.
Funding Partners
Wellness is a Journey
The path to wellness is ongoing — shaped by tradition, strengthened by community, and driven by resilience. Well Nation began as a vision to support Indigenous-led health and wellness through access to sport, education, and culture.
2018
Well Nation Launched
As a legacy program of the 2018 Masters Indigenous Games, Well Nation was announced to celebrate Indigenous people making positive impacts in their lives and communities. The Games highlighted athletic achievements and cultural traditions, encouraging Indigenous adults to be active, connect, and serve as role models.
January 2021
Well Nation Hub Launch
Reaching over 1,800 members, the Well Nation Hub offers a digital vehicle for consistent engagement with the ISWO community and members across the province.
March 2021
Well Nation Virtual Games
ISWO hosted the Well Nation Virtual Games in March of 2021, as a way to get families engaged and moving during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 400 people of all ages participated in the virtual event
2023
Initialized Women & Girls Fund
Sport is diverse but women and girls have been historically underserved. ISWO launched a new focus on Women and Girls programming to combat this disconnect offering both funding and educational conferences to build, sustain, and expand the voice of female athletes and wellness warriors inside of indigenous communities across Ontario.
Think you have what it takes to be a Wellness Warrior?
The Wellness Warrior campaign inspires Indigenous individuals to embrace health and wellness. By fostering community engagement and dialogue, it promotes positive lifestyle changes.
A Legacy of Positive
Impact
Since its inception, the program has celebrated countless success stories. We are building stories and storytellers to spread wellness into the next generation.
Join the Movement for
Wellness
Become a part of the Wellness Warrior community today. Nominate yourself or a member of your community to become a Wellness Warrior.
Celebrating Indigenous Achievements in Health
By nominating a member of your community you are elevating their success and efforts to promote wellness. Celebrating wellness has a profound impact on our future.
Upcoming Events
Equipment & Leadership
Power 2 Play is a grant program developed by ISWO and funded by the Government of Ontario, which offers Indigenous communities up to $5,000 for sport equipment and an additional $1,000 for leadership initiatives in sport (i.e. coaching certifications, etc.).
Strengthening community bonds through active participation in wellness.
Customized programs addressing unique community health needs.
Community Sports Fund
The Community Sport Fund (CSF) under ISWO’s Well Nation program boosts sport and recreation access, fostering community growth and reducing negative behaviours. It supports projects using sport for social change, enhancing wellness in Indigenous communities. Proposals should highlight culturally grounded activities. The CSF, backed by the Government of Canada, aims to make sport and wellness accessible to all, especially in remote and urban Indigenous areas with low participation.
Northern & Remote Communities Recration Fund
The Community Sport Fund (CSF) under ISWO’s Well Nation program boosts sport and recreation access, fostering community growth and reducing negative behaviours. It supports projects using sport for social change and enhancing wellness in Indigenous communities. Proposals should highlight culturally grounded activities. The CSF, backed by the Government of Canada, aims to make sport and wellness accessible to all, especially in remote and urban Indigenous areas with low participation.
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Women & Girls Fund
Power 2 Play is a grant program developed by ISWO and funded by the Government of Ontario, which offers Indigenous communities up to $5,000 for sport equipment and an additional $1,000 for leadership initiatives in sport (i.e. coaching certifications, etc.).
Calling all warriors
At Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO), we’re here to uplift Indigenous communities through sport, recreation, and wellness initiatives. Whether you're an athlete, community leader, educator, parent, or supporter, we're ready to help.
Here are a few ways we can work together:
- An Elder who shares traditional knowledge on well-being
- A youth starting a fitness journey and encouraging others
- A community leader organizing land-based healing activities
- A coach or athlete promoting physical and mental health
- A parent, auntie, or uncle leading by example at home
Have a question? Reach out using the form — we’ll ensure it gets to the right team member.
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