These core ideas that support and guide Agoojin programming were co-developed by the leadership team and former athletes of Agoojin. By continuing to reflect and implement these values, we feel that Agoojin can benefit our communities and have lasting impact.

Holism

A holistic worldview based on the medicine wheel is a primary pillar of Agoojin volleyball. We strive to see the whole person and consider the whole situation. This includes physical, mental, emotional, cultural, spiritual, and socio-political dimensions.

Inclusion

Every athlete has a story and a path. Rather than judge that path, Agoojin wishes to be an accepting support system along the way. Our program strives to contribute to removing hurdles so that whoever wishes to participate has the chance. 

Safety

Athletes, coaches, family, fans, and officials all deserve respect and a safe space to learn, grow, and compete. Safety includes physical, emotional, and cultural safety.

Leadership

Being a leader is both a gift and a responsibility. Agoojin strives to build on skills and gifts of athletes, families, and coaches to enhance the voice of Indigenous role models. We are a platform for amplifying traditional values and providing visibility to young leaders. 

Humility: 

We are individuals with unique gifts but acknowledge those before us and those around us who have laid foundations for our opportunities and success. We belong to a team and to larger communities, from which we are eager to accept guidance. 

Honesty: 

Members of the Agoojin family are asked to live with intention and integrity. Honesty holds us accountable, creates a reliable team culture, and allows us to maintain transparency.

Community

We are all interconnected. We strive to support the best in each other and collaborate with allies with a shared vision.

Empowerment: 

We seek to increase the voice, confidence, strengths, and skills of our team members. Success is defined on an individualized basis and can be measured in curiosity, effort, and learning.
 

Love:  

To be at peace with our relations and ourselves, unconditionally. 

The term Agoojin is an Ojibwe phrase.  The Ojibwe language was chosen to recognize and honour the history and land on which the program was founded. 

We recruit, compete, play, have relations in, and are nurtured on the territories of the  Cree, Ojibway, Dakota, Oji-Cree, and Dene – all with distinct cultures, languages, traditions, and experiences. 

We drink the water which runs over and under the Red River clay. Our bodies are nourished from the plants and animals that offer themselves from this territory. 

Manitoba continues to be occupied by colonial forces through policy, deceit, and oppression. Despite centuries of colonization, racism, and genocide, the peoples of this land since time immorial have remained, and carry the strength, pride, and cultures of their ancestors forward every day.

The territory on which Agoojin was founded also holds the distinction of being the homeland of the Métis Nation; a culturally unique Indigenous community which also experienced and continues to experience hardships at the hand of the Canadian and Manitoban governments, including oppression, annihilation, and dispossession of lands.

 We commit to investing in youth as a means of celebrating and commemorating the rich history of Indigenous ancestors on these lands.

To our relations and supporters, we see you. To those who protect these lands, waters, and the creatures that inhabit them, we say Miigwech, Ekosani, Masi-Cho, Wopida, Maarsii, Merci, and Thank You. We value your partnership in our journey towards a fairer and more equitable community.