The Wahkohtowin Sports Circle Foundation is receiving a major donation.

Through the Telus Future Friendly Foundation, the organization is receiving a $20,000 check to help support Indigenous Youth in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB). 

The Wahkohtowin Sports Circle runs an annual Get in the Game Program, which supports and promotes participation in sports for Indigenous Youth in the rural communities of the RMWB.

By working with Indigenous leaders in each community, Wahkohtowin Sports Circle focuses on providing youth with sporting gear, travel-related costs, or registrations on an individual basis to help relieve financial barriers to participating in organized sports.

“We are very proud to share that since 2018 we have donated $225,0000 dedicated to sporting gear, assistance with travel to events, and registration assistance. We have been able to assist on average 250 youth annually,” said Kelly Tole, Director of Wahkohtowin Sports Circle Foundation.

“The support that TELUS Friendly Future Foundation has provided will help us continue our mission to eliminate financial barriers so children can be part of a team and experience all advantages associated with it.”

The group also works to remove financial barriers and include cultural awareness programming, friendship building, and fostering kindness through sport.

“Through our partnerships with charities supporting Indigenous communities, we aim to help youth reach their full potential,” said Shanan Spencer-Brown, Executive Director of TELUS Friendly Future Foundation.

“We are proud to be able to support Wahkohtowin Sports Circle Foundation with a grant from our TELUS Edmonton and Northern Alberta Community Board, in order to help ensure that Indigenous youth have opportunities to be part of a team and play a sport they love while feeling like they belong.”