A national health conference is on this week at the University of Guelph, looking into ways to strengthen Aboriginal wellness through sport and recreation.
Researchers from across Canada, as well as athletes, sports administrators, and coaches are gathering on campus for the National Aboriginal Physical Activity and Wellness Conference. It runs through to Friday, with sessions focused on the role sport, recreation and physical activity has on youth development, and community development.
Among the speakers at the conference will be Olympic boxer Mary Spencer, winner of three world championships.
A pow wow will be held on Thursday in Johnston Green, with the grand entry at noon. There will be drumming and dancing on the grounds. It concludes at 6 p.m.
U of G is in the process of expanding educational opportunities and supports for Indigenous peoples. Charlotte Yates, U of G provost and vice-president (academic) started an initiative last year to increase the number of Indigenous faculty members at U of G and to increase supports for Indigenous students.
The university’s W.F. Mitchell Athletics Centre is in the process of becoming a training centre for the Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario.
Yates will lead a roundtable discussion on Friday around the subject of Aboriginal research, policy, and issues.
Last year, U of G took steps to create the position of special advisor to the provost on Aboriginal initiatives. This week, it was officially announced that Cara Wehkamp, manager of the Office of Intercultural Affairs, will serve in the role. There is more on the conference at http://aswco.ca/napawc-2017/.
