Motivate Canada

Motivate Canada[1] is a Canadian non-profit organization that empowers youth through sports and recreation. The organization is based in Ottawa, with offices in Toronto and Winnipeg. Motivate Canada’s approach is based on youth-driven development. This theory assumes that not only is there a bias against youth initiative throughout the world, but removing this bias can have powerful effects on community development.^[1] Motivate Canada works with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadian youth to develop their desire and capacity to follow their dreams. Some of the tools used include role-models, leadership and confidence-building, and medium to long-term community support.

Esteem Team

The earliest Motivate Canada program was the Esteem Team[2], created in 1994 by Olympic wrestler Chris Wilson. Wilson wanted to inspire young Canadians to follow their dreams and gave motivational presentations in elementary and high-schools throughout British Columbia. In 2001, he was joined by Field Hockey Olympian Ian Bird (field hockey) and World Soke Cup Karate Champion Lisa Ling. Today, the Esteem Team counts dozens of athletes including: Darcy Turenne, Mike Webb (rugby player), Margaret Langford, Troy Westwood, Jodie deSolla, William Njoku, Kent Brown, Corey Robinson, Steve Giles, Karen Furneaux, Jillian D'Alessio, Stella Umeh, Kojo Aidoo, Isabelle Turcotte Baird, Darin Kyle, Katie Weatherston, Graeme Murray, Mark Hatfield and Nancy Drolet.^[2]

GEN7

The GEN7[3] program follows a similar role-model philosophy. It was created in 2002 in order to enable Aboriginal youth having achieved academic or athletic success to encourage other Aboriginal youth. The Aboriginal role-models, also called Messengers, make a total of 6 visits to an Aboriginal community. During these visits, they lead sports and self-esteem building workshops and share their stories. There are 16 active GEN7 Messengers working in communities across Canada. Current GEN7 Messengers are of First Nations, Inuit and Métis heritage and include Josh Sacobie, former University of Ottawa Gee Gees quarterback, World Championship female boxer Mary Spencer, Canadian National Championship boxer Kent Brown, Estonion National Hockey Team hopeful Michael Auksi.^[3]

ACTIVATE

The ACTIVATE[4] program was created in order to empower youth to drive their own projects in their communities. One of its components is the ACTIVATE National Youth Leadership Conference, which takes place every spring in Ottawa. In 2009, the conference took place from May 6 to May 10 at Carleton University and included 40 participants. Following the conference, the participants plan and implement their projects, which usually focus on community sports, with the support of Motivate Canada staff members.^[4]

Active Circle

The Active Circle[5] is the newest Motivate Canada program. It was launched in 2008 in partnership with the Aboriginal Sports Circle[6] and supports Aboriginal youth and communities to become vibrant, active and healthy through sport and recreation. The program supports community-driven physical activity initiatives and launched a website to serve as a hub for Aboriginal sports and recreation in Canada.^[5]

References

1. ^ http://www.motivatecanada.ca
2. ^ http://www.esteemteam.com
3. ^ http://www.motivatecanada.ca/gen7
4. ^ http://www.motivatecanada.ca/activate
5. ^ http://www.activecircle.ca

External links

Motivate Canada [7]
Josh Sacobie's Gen7 visit in the Kingston Whig Standard [8]
Activate participant Braeden Jones in the Stonewall Argus and Teulon Times [9]
Motivate Canada's Blog [10]