The impact of sport can extend far beyond competition, shaping how people understand and connect with one another.

That potential is reflected in the Commonwealth Sport Lekwungen Declaration on Reconciliation and Partnership with Indigenous Peoples, an international commitment to Indigenous inclusion and participation in sport through education, relationship-building, and accountability. Queen’s is among the first U SPORTS universities to sign it.

“Sport has a powerful ability to bring people together, but that power must be matched by responsibility,” says Patrick Deane, Principal and Vice-Chancellor. “By signing, Queen’s commits to strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities and working to ensure that our athletics and recreational spaces reflect a commitment to truth and reconciliation, and to respect and belonging.”

The declaration’s 10 calls to action focus on increasing Indigenous participation and leadership in sport, supporting athletes and coaches, expanding access for youth, advancing education and research, strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities, and establishing accountability for progress. 

Earlier this year, the Indigenous Council of Queen’s endorsed the declaration. Signing it supports recommendations from the Queen’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Task Force, and advances the Bicentennial Vision, the Queen’s Strategy, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Reconciliation through sport and recreation

A few of the initiatives already underway across Queen’s Athletics & Recreation (A&R) show what reconciliation through sport can look like in practice. 

The women’s basketball program has partnered with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives to support the Kanyen’kehá Pride basketball camp, which incorporates cultural teachings with instruction. Team members and coaches have also visited Quinte Mohawk School to lead clinics and speak about pathways into post-secondary education and sport. This fall, the team welcomed Greg Henhawk, Mohawk of the Bear Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario, for a workshop on relationship-building and Indigenization in sport, including meaningful approaches to land acknowledgements. 

Recreation and Active Living initiatives are exploring Indigenous-led outdoor learning and traditional games through intramurals, while Q Move and outdoor wellness programming are being updated to incorporate Indigenous place names, histories, and the significance of sacred sites.

“The Outdoors Club is leading initiatives that create opportunities to learn from Indigenous knowledge, and to foster relationships through outdoor experiences. Some of these activities include Indigenous-led smudge hikes and Métis rock-painting socials,” says Outdoors Club Exec Naashkii Soler, a member of the Ojibways of Onigaming and a fourth-year Political Studies and Indigenous Knowledges and Perspectives student. Soler is also a member of the Indigenous Q Advisory Committee. “We also recently introduced an Indigenous student fee waiver for our club, which we hope will help create greater access to outdoor recreation for Indigenous students.”

Through the Varsity Leadership Council (VLC), student-athletes have partnered with Indigenous artists and organizations on Culture Day, allyship programming, and fundraising. At a recent Lunch and Learn led by Elder Alan Doxtator, they discussed reconciliation in sport and practical ways to support Indigenous communities and the land. The VLC will host its fifth annual Culture Day in December, bringing student-athletes together to share cultures and traditions through food, performances, and other activities.

“Sport and recreation can be intentional and meaningful spaces for connection, learning, and community,” says Linda Melnick, Executive Director, A&R. “This work aligns with the A&R Strategy and is about creating environments where Indigenous students, youth, and communities feel welcomed and represented, while also challenging our teams and staff to think differently about the role sport can play in reconciliation.”

Accountability and action

For Queen’s, signing the declaration is a starting point and accountability for the commitments it contains is ongoing. The university will track progress across the 10 calls to action and report to the Indigenous Council annually on its work and areas for further action, including team and club initiatives. A&R will also work with Indigenous communities, peer institutions, and post-secondary sport organizations to identify opportunities to advance reconciliation and reduce barriers to Indigenous participation in sport.

This past spring, A&R began developing an Indigenous Q logo as a way to advance reconciliation through sport, with attention to culture, policy, representation, and the experiences of Indigenous students, student-athletes, coaches, staff, and communities. An advisory committee comprising Indigenous students and other members of the campus community was established to oversee the logo’s creation, use, protection, and related education.

Indigenous artist Kory Parkin is developing the design, which is scheduled to be shared in early 2027. Queen’s will also celebrate that the university has signed the Commonwealth Sport Lekwungen Declaration at that time, highlighting two complementary initiatives that advance reconciliation through sport.