The Ontario Volleyball Association joins the rest of Canada in recognizing and celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day.
We take this opportunity to express our deep respect and admiration for the Indigenous communities who have enriched this land with their culture, knowledge, and traditions for thousands of years. Today, we honour the significant contributions they have made, and continue to make, in shaping our society and our sport.
Volleyball, much like the spirit of Indigenous communities, is about unity, teamwork, and respect. As an association, we strive to embody these principles and we are committed to promoting the values of diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect in every aspect of our operations.
On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering an environment in which every player, coach, official, and fan feels valued and respected, regardless of their ethnic, cultural or racial background. We are dedicated to making our sport a place where Indigenous voices are heard, their stories are told, and their heritage is celebrated. We are proud of our Indigenous athletes, coaches and administrators and all of you who use the sport of volleyball as part of your commitment to reconciliation.
We also take this day as an opportunity for reflection and learning. We recognize the importance of educating ourselves and our community about the rich history, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples. We invite all our members to join us in this journey of knowledge and understanding, to learn more about the legacy and culture of the Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
Lastly, the Ontario Volleyball Association commits to playing our part in the journey towards reconciliation, recognizing that this is an ongoing process which demands concerted and consistent effort. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society, both on and off the court.
In the spirit of celebration, recognition, and respect, we say Miigwetch, Nia:wen, Merci, and Thank you.
