Whitehorse will host delegates from across Canada this weekend for the national Aboriginal Sport Circle Summit.

The annual summit will start this evening with a meet and greet. The goal of the summit is to discuss Aboriginal participation in sport and how it can be increased.

This is the first time the summit has been held in the Yukon.

“I’m so proud that the Aboriginal Sport Circle Summit is being held in Yukon,” Community Services Minister John Streicker said in a release this morning.

“We are committed to working with sport groups in a collaborative manner to have a positive impact on the lives of Aboriginal people in Yukon.”

Tonight’s meet and greet will be hosted jointly by the Government of Yukon and the Council of Yukon First Nations.

Both Streicker and Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston will be in attendance.

The summit will offer workshops, cultural activities and networking opportunities throughout the weekend. All events will be held at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. One of the workshops on Saturday highlights the need for increasing physical activity across the country and a common vision to reduce “sedentary living” in Canada.

Cultural activities will be featured on Sunday as well as workshops on supporting Aboriginal participants in sport and physical activity and Aboriginal Program partnership opportunities.

The summit will close with a dinner on Sunday evening.

The three-day meeting was organized in partnership with the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle.

“Over the years, Aboriginal sports has played an integral role in the wellness, heart and spirit of our people,” Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle president Gordon Reed said in the release.

“This is a chance for us to celebrate our shared values; promote awareness and understanding; and strengthen the relationships that tie us together.”

Aboriginal athlete Alwyn Morris will be a special guest at the summit. The Quebec kayaker won the K-2, 1000 metre sprint kayak race at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The All Nations dance group is also scheduled to attend.