TORONTO, Oct. 28 /CNW/ - A new partnership between Canadian Tire Jumpstart and the Ontario government will build self-esteem and confidence for First Nation youth through a new sport and recreation program.

This new partnership includes:

• A Canadian Tire Jumpstart funded youth wellness worker in Attawapiskat, ensuring that all First Nation communities along the James Bay coast have youth wellness workers. This is in addition to the four workers announced previously by Ontario.
• Sending seven northern First Nation communities a customized Canadian Tire Jumpstart Kids Activity Kit packed with sport and recreation equipment.
• Providing First Nation youth with the opportunity to meet three-time Olympic athlete Sami Jo Small during her James Bay Coast tour. Small will speak about how she overcame adversity and teach hockey workshops to interested youth.

"This program marks an exciting new beginning for Canadian Tire Jumpstart as each of the participating communities will be invited to become official Canadian Tire Jumpstart Community Partners," said Dan Thompson, President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart. "By accepting this invitation, families with financial need living in this region will be able to apply for ongoing funding to enrol their children in sport and recreation activities. We're honoured to have been invited to bring our program and the life benefits of sport and recreation to the James Bay region."

"Through the power of sport and recreation, this new program will deliver a boost of self esteem, confidence and opportunity to close to 1,500 children living in the James Bay region," said Chris Bentley, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. "Given that Canadian Tire Jumpstart is national in scope yet local in focus, the partnership is a natural fit. Fostering successful partnerships with Aboriginal communities is part of the Open Ontario plan to create new opportunities for all Ontarians, and we're thrilled to help bring the life benefits of sport and recreation to these communities."

Each Canadian Tire Jumpstart Kids Activity Kit will include equipment that can be used indoors and outdoors and do not require specialized facilities, such as: basketballs, basketball nets, yoga mats, soccer balls, footballs, rugby balls, compasses and flags for orienteering, parachutes and juggling kits.

"The physical and emotional benefits of sports and recreation programs for children and youth are well known. I congratulate Canadian Tire for developing new partnerships in our remote communities along the James Bay coast, and providing valuable opportunities for young people to build their confidence, and improve their health through sports and recreational activities," said Laurel Broten, MPP Etobicoke-Lakeshore.

"The Canadian Tire Jumpstart and Ontario partnership will bring important and beneficial tools to Aboriginal youth in the community of James Bay. Youth that participate in the program will take away important life skills that will benefit them in their everyday lives and into their future," said Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion and Sport.

"The importance of having Youth Wellness Workers and sports programming in our communities to support our youth is critical in building their confidence, leadership skills and overall quality of life," said Grand Chief Louttit. "This unique partnership will enrich the lives of our youth."

"My personal story has been one of perseverance as I've worked to help those around me achieve their goals," said Sami Jo Small, Olympic athlete. "I'm thrilled to have been invited to participate in this important initiative and I'm looking forward to hitting the ice with all of the students open to learning a few new hockey tricks."

The Canadian Tire Jumpstart tour with Sami Jo Small will run from November 15-19, 2010 and the program will reach youth from the Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Weenusk, Chapleau Cree, Missanabie Cree and Taykwa Tagamou First Nations.  

For more information about the new Ontario youth wellness workers, please visit http://news.ontario.ca or call Scott Cavan, Minister's Office, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs at 416-314-7395.

About Canadian Tire Jumpstart

Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a national, charitable program that helps kids aged 4 to 18 with financial need to participate in organized sports and recreation. The program helps cover the cost of registration, equipment and/or transportation. Since its launch in February 2005, Canadian Tire Jumpstart has helped give more than 250,000 Canadian kids the chance to play. For more information, visit Canadian Tire Jumpstart online at www.canadiantire.com/jumpstart.