Indigenous After School Lacrosse

Lacrossing Barriers’ idea is to create a barrier-free, culturally grounded lacrosse program that brings accessible sport directly into Indigenous schools. The program is designed to eliminate financial, physical, and cultural barriers that prevent many Indigenous and marginalized youth from participating in organized sport, while celebrating lacrosse as The Creator’s Game and a vital part of Indigenous heritage.

Through partnerships with the Tsuut’ina Nation School Board, Siksika Nation School Board, and the Niitsitapi Learning Centre, Lacrossing Barriers will deliver programming in five schools across the identified Nations. The program will run two 10-week cycles between January and June 2026, hosted on-site after school hours to maximize accessibility and participation. Each session will include skill-building activities, modified game play for different ability levels, and cultural teachings guided by Indigenous coaches and knowledge keepers.

A key element of this idea is the involvement of Indigenous athletes and coaches who serve as  mentors and cultural leaders. Their participation ensures that students see themselves represented in sport, learn directly from role models, and connect meaningfully to the cultural traditions of lacrosse. By combining technical skill development with storytelling and cultural teachings, these athletes bridge traditional values with modern sport, fostering confidence, teamwork, and pride among students.

The program will be fully inclusive, offering adaptive equipment for wheelchair users and ensuring that every student—regardless of ability, experience, or background—can play. Each school will receive staff support and a structured program that can be sustained for years to come.

By embedding the program directly within Indigenous schools, Lacrossing Barriers will create accessible, culturally relevant sport opportunities that build community pride and promote inclusion. Over the course of the program, an estimated 1,000–2,000 youth will participate, with at least half being new to organized sport and 30% identifying as students with disabilities or mobility needs.

Ultimately, this idea combines Indigenous leadership, inclusive sport design, and community partnership to strengthen physical, social, and cultural wellbeing. It represents a sustainable model for how sport can bridge barriers, honour culture, and empower the next generation of Indigenous youth both on and off the field.

The program is designed to serve a wide range of abilities and will benefit Indigenous youth attending schools within the Tsuut’ina Nation, Siksika Nation, and the Niitsitapi Learning Centre, along with their families and broader communities. Students will have the option to play standing or in wheelchairs, using traditional or adaptive equipment suited to their individual needs. This ensures participation for children with disabilities or mobility challenges who are often excluded from mainstream physical education and recreation programs. By creating a supportive environment that values participation over competition, every student can experience success, confidence, and joy in sport.

Indigenous youth will also benefit from the opportunity to connect with the cultural roots of lacrosse, known as The Creator’s Game. Through mentorship from Indigenous coaches, athletes, and knowledge keepers, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the sport’s traditions and significance. These cultural teachings will foster pride, identity, and a stronger connection to community, reinforcing sport as both a tool for wellbeing and cultural continuity.

Beyond direct participants, the program will benefit families, educators, and local communities. Teachers and school staff will receive hands-on exposure to inclusive, adaptive programming that can be sustained long after the grant period. Families will see their children gaining confidence, friendships, and new skills, while schools will strengthen community ties through shared participation and celebration of sport.

At a broader level, this project will benefit the Calgary and area sport community by demonstrating how inclusion and cultural relevance can coexist in sport delivery. Partnerships with the Calgary Roughnecks, Calgary Adapted Hub, and Indigenous coaches will create a bridge between grassroots and professional lacrosse, inspiring long-term engagement and pathways for youth development.

In total, the program is expected to reach between 1,000 and 2,000 students across at least five schools. Approximately 50% of participants will be new to organized sport, and at least 30% will be youth with disabilities or mobility needs. Each will benefit not only from improved physical health but also from increased self-esteem, teamwork, cultural pride, and a sense of belonging—outcomes that will carry forward into school, family, and community life.