More Cultural Supports Needed for Indigenous Student-Athletes

By: Jacob Genereux

Indigenous student-athletes are clearly underserved and there needs to be a call to action for more substantial support systems.

In 2024, you’d think there would be sufficient awareness and support for Indigenous student-athletes. It’s been a longstanding issue and situation inherited by Stephanie White, who stepped into the director of athletics role in spring 2022.

“Our department does not have a specific framework to support our Indigenous student-athletes,” White concedes.  She also acknowledged these matters are firmly on her to-do list.

There needs to be an environment where Indigenous people can be comfortable connecting with their cultural practices.  That’s a good start.  Create those safe spaces where Indigenous people can feel brave and comfortable.

Jaimie Kechego is an Indigenous staff member at University of Windsor who understands the importance of cultural practices to Indigenous people such as smudging.

“I think cultural practices play a big role for Indigenous student athletes, for example smudging one of the four sacred medicines can instill a sense of safety. If they are given the opportunity to bring this practice to their competition environments and share with their teammates, this will lead to an inclusive and understanding space through a cultural safety lens.”

Smudging can’t have unreasonable barriers.  It’s too important to the Indigenous population on-campus. Sure, it might be a small number compared to other demographics, but let’s not let the numbers cloud our response.

Indigenous culture was not prioritized in the past, but moving forward White believes the coaching staff being culturally educated should be a priority as they are directly involved with the athletes.

“Here we haven’t mandated anyone to take anything on Indigenous culture, if it was, it had been on their own right.”

Defensive Coordinator Coach Pat Donovan – Windsor Lancers vs Western Mustangs – September 30, 2023, on National Day of Truth & Reconciliation) Photo Credit – Connor Sykes

Do coaches and support staff understand the meaning behind Truth and Reconciliation Day and why people wear an orange shirt?

Men’s volleyball player Noah Nsolo who identifies as African/Indigenous background, provides first-hand experiences with his coaches on the lack of Indigenous knowledge.

“We have not talked about Indigenous culture that much. The only situation I remember them is a quick reminder to wear orange shirt for Truth and Reconciliation Day, but never went in-depth of what it meant.”

Wearing orange shirts isn’t enough if you don’t understand and embrace the meaning behind the movement.  It’s a half-measure at best.

To increase cultural awareness, an “optional” nine hour in-person NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program) Indigenous coaching training module was offered by the University for all coaching staff about five years ago. Training like this needs to be more frequent and less optional.

Kechego realizes that there is a lack of understanding when it comes to cultural safety and how it can create an isolating experience for Indigenous student athletes.

“The university needs to do some work on relationship building with Indigenous people. If their teammates are non-Indigenous, chances are they won’t understand cultural practices and will need to seek support out of their team environment which can throw an athlete’s game off.”

It is important to realize that University of Windsor resides on treaty territory. Nsolo is unhappy that the land acknowledgement is placed during warmups and not placed before the national anthem at his home volleyball games.

“We recently had an away game against Queen’s who had a land acknowledgement before the national anthem. I think if there is room for improvement, that would be a good start.”

Many Indigenous student athletes may feel isolated and left out with the minimal support services. If there is a “Black student support coordinator” under the varsity support team, there needs to be an “Indigenous student support coordinator” on the varsity support team.

Indigenous student athletes will need to walk 30 minutes across campus just to reach cultural support services at Turtle Island Centre. With an open concept at the Toldo Centre, it is obvious that there was not much thought into creating a similar cultural support space. This is an opportunity where proper services can be accessible.

Let’s think proactively and progressively to better serve Indigenous members of the campus community.  It’s the right thing to do.