Race Weekend spotlight: Amplifying Indigenous voices and impact

Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is more than personal bests and finish line photos. It’s about community – runners, walkers, and supporters coming together. But when thousands gather, how do we make space for something deeper than the race itself?

For three Indigenous-focused charities participating in this year’s events, the answer is rooted in visibility, connection, and meaningful impact. Their involvement is not just about raising funds – it’s about amplifying Indigenous voices and ensuring their priorities are heard in spaces that haven’t always made room for them.

Tech meets tradition: Indigenous Friends Association

The Indigenous Friends Association (IFA) bridges Indigenous heritage and digital innovation, focusing on education and technical skills. Their IndigiTECH and IndigiTAL programs teach digital literacy and skills through a cultural lens, empowering communities to shape their own futures.

For IFA, race weekend is a chance to engage with the wider community and foster connection. “This isn’t just a one-time event,” says Dylan Armitage, Fundraising Coordinator. “It’s about showing up in good relations, inviting curiosity, and recognizing that support can take many forms.”

Funds raised directly support IFA’s programs and long-term sustainability. Equally valuable is the visibility the race provides – a chance to spotlight Indigenous youth leading with digital creativity and cultural strength.

“We hope this brings broader visibility to the incredible work happening from our program participants,” Armitage shares. “It’s a chance to celebrate digital creativity, cultural continuity, and the strength that comes from communities shaping their own futures, especially as we approach National Indigenous History Month in June.”

Armitage adds that support can take many forms: “sharing stories, inviting conversation, spreading awareness, or simply holding space for this work… all of it matters.”

Healing through culture: Wabano Centre for Indigenous Health

Like IFA, the Wabano Centre uses Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend to build visibility and foster connection, focusing on health, healing, and intergenerational support.

For 27 years, Wabano has been a cornerstone of Indigenous health in Ottawa. What began as a small clinic has grown into a comprehensive, culturally grounded hub supporting everything from medical care and mental wellness to housing, prenatal, and palliative care. All their services are guided by the belief that culture is treatment.

This is Wabano’s third year participating in Race Weekend, and the sense of community keeps them coming back. Natalie Lloyd, Director of Administration, Communications, and Engagement, recalls a moment from their first year: “Some children were running the kids’ 1K. They didn’t know me, but I cheered them on. Later, their mom told me they said, ‘Mom, one of our Aunties was cheering for us – a Wabano Auntie.’ That’s what this race is about for me: community supporting one another and showing we care for each other’s journey.”

Moments like these reflect Wabano’s larger mission: to create space where Indigenous people are seen, supported, and celebrated – inside and outside clinic walls.

This year, funds will support Wabano’s Christmas campaign, which provides food, gifts, and care to 50–75 low-income families. But their race weekend message extends beyond fundraising.  “Visibility is important,” Lloyd says. “Indigenous health is important and when others see us out there racing, having fun, cheering each other on, it helps shift opinions or maybe create dialogue.” 

Their 2024 race theme, Walking in Beauty, reflects their belief that healing and community are intertwined, and invites others to see the beauty in every step taken together.

Education as empowerment: Indspire

While Wabano focuses on wellness, Indspire centers its efforts on education, empowering Indigenous youth to shape their futures with confidence and support.

A national Indigenous charity, Indspire’s mission is to close the education gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in Canada. Through financial support, mentorship, and resources, they help students succeed in post-secondary education and beyond. Education is one of the strongest predictors of employment, and with 89% of Indspire-supported students graduating and 88% finding work – often in roles serving Indigenous communities – investing in Indigenous education helps build a stronger, more inclusive workforce across the country.

“The Desjardins Charity Challenge during Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend allows participants to not only learn more about what Indspire does, but also to support its mission,” says the Indspire team. ”It’s a perfect venue to promote reconciliation through action – and on a truly national scale, since we support Indigenous students across Turtle Island.”

In 2023–24 alone, Indspire disbursed $30.1 million to 8,300 students. Yet that met just 29% of total funding needs. “We’re hoping that ultimately, we’ll be able to achieve a future where all Indigenous students will be able to pursue their educational dreams without facing financial or systemic barriers to their success,” says Helen Smith, Communications Advisor at Indspire. 

As Canada’s fastest-growing demographic, Indigenous youth are not just the future of their communities – they’re the future of the country. “Education is also a significant way to speed healing and deal with the legacy of the residential school system in a meaningful way,” Smith says, “by making these spaces more welcoming and accessible for those who may not have felt welcome in the past.”

Smith notes that supporting Indspire and Indigenous causes doesn’t require grand gestures. “Small changes over time really add up – whether it’s a donation, joining a run, reading a book by an Indigenous author, or asking better questions at your child’s school.”

Ways to support Indigenous Communities during race weekend and beyond

Donate or fundraise through race weekend teams or support their work year-round:

  • Indigenous Friends Association – Help sustain Indigenous-led tech education and mentorship. Share their work, invite conversation, and uplift their voices.
  • Wabano Centre – Sponsor a table at their June Gala, donate auction items, or take part in Indigenous Cultural Safety Training.
  • Indspire – Fund scholarships and mentorships for Indigenous students nationwide.

Raise awareness:

  • Share their stories on social media.
  • Talk about Indigenous innovation and leadership.
  • Encourage dialogue and deeper understanding.

Keep learning:

  • Read books by Indigenous authors and listen to Indigenous musicians.
  • Support Indigenous-owned businesses, locally and nationally.
  • Attend a powwow or cultural event in your community.
  • Ask what your children are learning about Indigenous history and culture.
  • If you’re an employer, connect with groups supporting Indigenous job seekers or interns.
  • If you’re an educator, explore Indspire’s National Gathering for Indigenous Education to bring Indigenous perspectives into your teaching.

Showing up matters – during Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend and every day after. Whether through learning, sharing, or supporting Indigenous-led efforts, our collective steps help build a future grounded in equity, respect, and truth. 

You can support these three organizations participating in Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend by donating to their JustGiving campaign pages:

Indigenous Friends Association
Wabano Centre for Indigenous Health
Indspire