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THE NASC MISSION
The Native American Sports Council's mission is to promote athletic excellence and wellness within Native American communities through sports programs which combine traditional Native American values with those of the modern Olympics.
Through its membership in the U.S. Olympic Committee and its affiliation with selected Olympic Sports Federation, the NASC conducts community based multi-sport programs and athlete development programs which enable emerging elite athletes to be identified and developed for national, international and Olympic competition The following is a brief description of the NASC's primary program areas.
- Athlete Development and Assistance Program
- Sports & Wellness Leadership Development Program
- Sports Academic Training Institute
- Sports Partnerships
Like the original Olympic Games, Native American games provide a framework for building ties of mutual respect, friendship and cooperation between individuals, communities and nations. |
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ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT & ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Athlete Development and Assistance program assists emerging-elite Native American athletes to be identified and developed for national, international, and Olympic competition. The mission of the ADAP is to advocate for, recognize the achievement of, and provide opportunities through sport for Native American athletes who aspire to compete at the Olympic level. ADAP provides selected athletes with financial assistance, performance evaluation, coaching support, equipment and apparel.
ADAP supported eight Native American Olympic hopefuls as they prepared to qualify for the 1996 Centennial Games in Atlanta; and twelve Olympic hopefuls who were preparing for the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. |
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SPORTS & WELLNESS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The NASC is dedicated to helping Native American communities to sustain their values and traditions through culturally appropriate community based programs. The leadership program assists selected tribal communities to develop sports and wellness programs that address their specific needs.
The NASC's Sports and Wellness Leadership curriculum is designed to train and assist participating communities to establish and identify their own Tribal Sports and Wellness Leadership Council. This curriculum has been developed by nationally recognized leaders in the fields of sports development, community leadership, education, and substance abuse and prevention. |
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NATIVE AMERICAN SPORTS ACADEMIC TRAINING INSTITUTE
Many young Native American athletes have shown great promise through high school, but have had difficulty successfully transitioning to institutions of higher education and completing their college education. The NASC's Sports & Academic Training Institute is intended to assist educators, counselors, and coaches to better prepare the student-athlete for college and to assist the student-athlete to select the appropriate institution(s) of higher education, given his or her academic and sports goals.
Even though many individual sports are often club-based, most team sports are academically based. Therefore, the transition from high school to college is essential to the student-athlete's continuing development. |
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SPORTS PARTNERSHIPS
In addition to its USOC membership and relationship with selected Olympic Sports Federations, the NASC has cooperative arrangements with other sports organizations, including: the US Golf Foundation, the Mashantucket Pequot Athletic Commission and Ringside Inc. These organizations are assisting the NASC to conduct sports and wellness programs in an increasing number of Native American communities. |
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SACRED RAIN ARROW
Before his passing in 1994, Allan Houser Haozous (Warm Springs Chiricahua Apache) granted the Native American Sports Council permission to use the image of his monumental sculpture Sacred Rain Arrow. Expressing the strength and dignity of his people, Allan memorialized their grace, beauty and spirituality in his many works which earned his recognition as one of the most important artists of the twentieth century.
Sacred Rain Arrow was the centerpiece of the Olympic Village at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, greeting over 3,500 athletes from 80 nations. Allan Houser's belief in the innate goodness and dignity of all people is expressed in his art. Many of Houser's works reflect his rich heritage as a descendant of a father who rode as a young warrior with his uncle, the great Geronimo; and his mother who was the daughter of Chief Mangas Coloradas.
Listening to his father's stories, Allan traveled frequently in his imagination and dreamtime to the places of his father's youth where the Apaches roamed free. The strength, beauty, spirituality and dignity of his visions are expressed in his many works, and most specially in Sacred Rain Arrow, which we believe captures the essence of the "Sports Warrior". |
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RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Largest NAIG ever!!!
The 2006 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) was an amazing demonstration of unity amongst Indigenous People of North America! Over 5,000 Indigenous athletes from 35 Delegations (23 American & 12 Canadian), representing over 500 Nations converged upon Denver to compete in athletic competition and to celebrate their culture.
From July 2-8, 2006, Denver, Colorado, was the cultural heart of North America as the host city of the 2006 NAIG.
The 2006 NAIG was a phenomenal celebration of sport and culture for North American Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island (North America). The Colorado Indigenous Games Society, host organization for the 2006 NAIG, would like to thank all athletes, coaches, spectators, families, and Chef de Missions for participating in the 2006 NAIG. Rain or shine, we came together for an historic event that we can remember forever! |
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To make a tax deductible contribution or to receive additional information, please contact:
NATIVE AMERICAN SPORTS COUNCIL
1235 Lake Plaza Drive, Suite 221
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 632-5282
e-mail us |
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©2007, Native American Sports Council |
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