First Assist was founded by John Chabot, an Algonquin former NHL player who has worked for nearly 30 years in promoting sports, health and education in Indigenous communities across the country. He collaborates with coaches and educators, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and serves as a bridge between Indigenous communities and non-Indigenous organizations who seek to promote and play a role in reconciliation in Canada, as called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

First Assist’s programming uses sports to advance health and educational outcomes for Indigenous youth. Sports educators run sports programming based on positive environment principles (PEP) that promote healthy lifestyles and mental well-being in Indigenous reserve communities, and require school attendance to participate in the sports programs. This has successfully boosted high school achievement in the communities in which we currently operate.