At Canoe Kayak Canada, we believe that the water belongs to everyone. We are committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion—on and off the water. Whether you’re a paddler, coach, volunteer, or supporter, we strive to ensure that all individuals feel respected, welcomed, and empowered to reach their full potential. Our goal is to build a paddling community that reflects the rich diversity of Canada, where all voices are heard, and everyone has equitable access to the sport we love.
PaddleAll is Canoe Kayak Canada’s commitment to inclusive sport for athletes with physical or developmental disabilities. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of paddling, and PaddleAll helps remove barriers so more people can get on the water safely and confidently. This program supports clubs across the country in creating welcoming, adaptive environments, empowering athletes of all abilities to participate, compete, and thrive in our paddling community.
CKC’s PaddleAll programming encourages athletes with intellectual disabilities to train and race to be their best in sport. This program provides high-quality training and competition opportunities to all athletes, regardless of ability, and is important for the growth of this sport and for the paddling community.
Boats for All will leave a legacy for the future of PaddleAll Programming in Canada., it will also contribute to the global goal of inclusivity within the sport of paddling. It will promote canoeing as a fully inclusive sport as represented by the recent signing of an agreement with Special Olympics International to promote the development of canoeing in the Special Olympic World Games.
Coaching Association of Canada – Coaching Athletes with a Disability
Our mission is that every region across the country will have the standardized equipment that meets Special Olympic rules and regulations to be inclusive for all. In achieving this, we are providing legacy resources so divisions can grow their Special Olympics/PaddleAll programming. Each year the region that will be targeted to receive this equipment will be the Host Division of the Sprint National Championships.
As a continuously progressive National Sport Organization (NSO), Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) makes every effort for our sport to be accessible to all athletes, with a vision to increase our international opportunities for our PaddleAll and Special Olympics athletes. One of our main values is inclusion, and we pride ourselves in ensuring that our activities strive to be as inclusive as possible.
Currently, CKC provides opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities at our Sprint National Championships under our PaddleAll program. Many regions and clubs provide great programming for our athletes and have those athletes compete at our National Championships.
One of our biggest challenges in the continued success of this event is to ensure we have enough boats of the same type so that races are fair for all participants. Our Tourist class singles event is an event where athletes may not all use the same equipment at their clubs, but at Nationals Championships we need to guarantee they have the same access to equipment, so the race is as fair as possible across the field.
These boats are versatile and can be used for many uses at a club, not just for PaddleAll programming. They will open opportunities for everyone to try paddling and can be used in many introductory programs.
To ensure our races at National Championships are inclusive for all and to grow the sport across the country, we want to raise $15,000 to purchase a fleet of accessible boats that will be used at this year’s National Championships that will then stay with the Host Division as a legacy to promote programming in the area for PaddleAll competitors, our program for those with intellectual disabilities.
Canoe Kayak Canada is honoured to support Indigenous participation in paddling through programs that are community-driven, culturally respectful, and rooted in reconciliation. We recognize the deep and enduring connection that many Indigenous Peoples have with the water, and we are committed to building relationships based on trust, inclusion, and mutual respect. Through partnerships and engagement, we aim to create space for Indigenous athletes, coaches, and leaders to share their knowledge, shape the sport, and feel a true sense of belonging.
Ottawa Land Acknowledgement – Head Office
Canoe Kayak Canada would like to acknowledge the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land. Canoe Kayak Canada head office sits in the City of Ottawa. Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation have lived on this territory for millennia. Canoe Kayak Canada commits to working with all the members across Canada, through recognizing the Indigenous people of this land, through sharing, education, co-operation, and reconciliation.
Canoe Kayak Canada vows to actively engage in all aspects of reconciliation.
Montreal Land Acknowledgement – Training Centre
We would like to acknowledge where I am presenting from today. Tiohtiá:ke or Montreal is situated on the traditional territory of the Kanien’kehà:ka, a place which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst many First Nations including the Kanien’kehá:ka of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Huron/Wendat, Abenaki, and Anishinaabeg. We recognize and respect the Kanien’kehà:ka as the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which we meet today. Canoe Kayak Canada is committed to supporting the Kanien’kehà:ka and Haudenosaunee Peoples, among other First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Indigenous Peoples globally.
Dartmouth Land Acknowledgement – Training Centre
Dartmouth is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and traditional lands of the Mi’kmaq people. The municipality acknowledges the Peace & Friendship Treaties signed in this Territory and recognizes that we are all Treaty People.
Today we honour and recognize the importance of the Indigenous people – First Nation, Métis, and Inuit, and their cultural contributions to the tapestry of our region. We recognize the significant contributions of the Indigenous people and actively work together towards reconciliation and ensuring that our Indigenous members continue to enrich the fabric of the Halifax region.
The IAC was developed with the goal of welcoming guidance and input from key Indigenous leaders to ensure that CKC is walking the path towards a sport that respects and reflects the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action.
Truth and Reconciliation #87-91
CKC has selected Indigenous representatives for the IAC from communities across the country to reflect the diversity of indigenous perspectives and cultures from this great land. (The IAC is presently looking for an Inuit representative.) The IAC will also offer critical input on how the CKC’s Sport community can undergo the important changes needed to better reflect the unique cultural importance of Paddling to Indigenous Communities in Canada.
James Lavallée (Winnipeg, MB) – Chair, Indigenous Athlete in a Paddling Discipline, proud citizen on the Métis Nation – Manitoba.
Mohamed Crossman-Serb (Winnipeg, MB) – Indigenous Provincial and Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body, Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council, proud citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation.
Peter Amos– Nitinaht Lake Paddle Club, Team BC Coach for North American Indigenous Games. Proud Squamish First Nation British Columbia
Joshua Rivera Nicholas (Potlotek, N.S.) – Aboriginal Sports Circle, M.P.A.L for Potlotek First Nation, Member of the Mi’kmaw Nation in the territory of Mi’kma’ki in the district of Unama’ki.
Sharon Tiohswathe Rice – Indigenous Canoe Club – Oná:ke Paddling Club – Mohawk Nation
June MacDonald-Jenkins (Cobourg, ON) – Member at Large, Mi’kMaq First Nation
The Indigenous Advisory Council will be supported by Kenna Robins, CKC Director of Development and Casey Wade, CEO.
The IAC will work closely with the respective CKC committees to ensure a collective voice will shape the development of CKC Indigenous programming.
The IAC will continue to work together to build CKC’s Indigenous Paddling Program and keep the community informed on the latest developments.
“Canoe Kayak Canada has taken this step in meeting the TRC’s calls to action #87-#91, that directly relate to sport and recreation. I feel CKC is uniquely positioned to be a leader on these calls to action as paddling unlike most sports has its roots in indigenous cultures and ways of life. The IAC will work to ensure grass-roots voices and suggestions are heard at the national level which I believe will be the key to success in all of CKC’s indigenous programming.” – Committee Chair, James Lavallée.
