June has been National Aboriginal History Month and June 21st was National Aboriginal Day, Canada’s National Day to celebrate the unique heritage and outstanding achievements of Canada’s Indigenous people. The Indigenous population of Canada is comprised of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. Athletics Ontario took part in the celebrations on the 21st at Fort York, offering  fun physical activities for school children who attended the festivities.
Other EventsÂ
First Nations School of Toronto
Athletics Ontario will be at the First Nations School of Toronto on June 29th to celebrate the end of the school year! The goal of the day is to get the students more involved in athletics, not just through their participation in the various planned activities for the day, but also through the enjoyment and character building that comes along with that participation. The program will comprise of multiple stations that incorporate different aspects of athletics such as running, jumping, throwing, and wheeling activities.
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North American Indigenous Games
Athletics Ontario summer students and staff will be at the 2017 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG)! NAIG is the largest continental sporting and cultural gathering of Indigenous people. There will be approximately 5,000 athletes and 2,000 volunteers in attendance. The athletics portion of the games will be held at the York Lions Stadium in Toronto from July 19 – 21, 2017. If you’re interested in volunteering, please click here.
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Thomas Charles Longboat (June 4, 1887 – January 9, 1949)
(Native Name: Cogwagee, which means Everything)
Longboat was from the Six Nations Indian Reserve, near Brantford, Ontario. He won the 1907 Boston Marathon in a record time of 2:24.24. In winning the 1907 Boston Marathon, he became the first person of Indigenous descent to event. Longboat was inducted into the Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame in 2016.