Celeste Sánchez has been running the fitness programs at a local community centre for years, but has difficulty attracting Indigenous youths to the classes. Her goal is to make the space as welcoming and inclusive as possible, but she notices that the Indigenous kids in her neighborhood hardly enter the building, let alone the fitness classes. Celeste is willing to modify the space and classes to make it more welcoming, but needs more information on how to best do this.
Experiences of racism have negative impacts on the health outcomes of people who are racialized, including Indigenous peoples, newcomers to Canada, and Black Canadians. Racial discrimination can negatively impact employment opportunities, housing and education, which in turn can lead to worse health outcomes.
For instance, the prevalence of diabetes among Black Canadian adults is over two times the rate among White Canadians. Smoking rates are twice as high among First Nations, Métis and Inuit people compared to the non-Indigenous population. Lastly, newcomers to Canada are twice as likely to have difficulties in accessing immediate care compared to people born in Canada.
We need to have systems in place to dismantle racism and discrimination on a societal and individual level to ensure equitable opportunities and health outcomes for everybody.
As public health and physical activity leaders, some of the ways we can strengthen equity include:
- Ensuring Indigenous peoples, people who are racialized and newcomers are represented in leadership and decision-making roles, feel safe within the organization, and are represented in communications materials through various forms of media (written, photography, video, audio).
- Creating and maintaining strong partnerships with organizations focused on BIPOC and newcomer equity.
- Training staff members in cultural awareness and sensitivity to the lived experiences of newcomers, Indigenous and racialized people.
For organizations that are looking for ways to make physical activity more accessible and inclusive, the EverybodyMoves Resource Hub has a strong foundation of toolkits, reports, and guidelines focused on BIPOC and newcomers.
Indigenous peoples and people who are racialized want and deserve equitable opportunities and better health outcomes. We need to continue working together to ensure this happens.
After attending BC Recreation and Parks Association’s Aboriginal Cultural Relations Module, Celeste re-examined her current fitness programs and approached the community centre’s director in hopes to initiate and maintain a solid relationship with the Indigenous community. Celeste wants to add programs specifically built for the Indigenous youths, but she knows she needs their knowledge and expertise, and wants to provide long-lasting opportunities for them to work alongside her.
Resources
EverybodyMoves has resources specifically focused on BIPOC and newcomers. Look through the resources below, or check out the hub for even more! If you see a resource missing, submit it here. We want the Hub to house as many resources on inclusive and accessible physical activity as possible!
The I·SPARC FitNation Home Workout Series consists of 8 home workouts designed for Indigenous participants of all ages and abilities. Throw on your workout gear, grab a water bottle, find a safe, open space, and follow along to our YouTube videos! Choose from chair workouts (great for elders!), introductory workouts for beginners or if you are ready for the challenge, intermediate and advanced workouts! Go at your own pace and do the best you can!
Aboriginal Cultural Relations Module
BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) offers this free course to recreation leaders on how to incorporate awareness and cultural respect into their programming to ensure indigenous people experience a sport and recreation environment that is inclusive and safe. In order to take this course, sign up for a free account with BCRPA here.
Let’s Talk: Racism and Health Equity
Racism is a root cause of health and social inequities experienced by Indigenous and Racialized People in Canada. This resource by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health provides discussion questions for individual and organizational reflection and tips for anti-racist approaches and practices.
Equity and Inclusion Lens Snapshot: Racialized People
This Snapshot created by the City for All Women Initiative was used to inform the work developed and implemented in their Equity and Inclusion Lens Handbook. It is one of 11 Diversity Snapshots.