The programme, held in conjunction with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) which is supporting the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) due to be held in Kjipuktuk in Halifax Nova Scotia.

 "We’re appreciative of RBC’s commitment to help improve the quality of life, and overall health and well-being of Indigenous athletes, individuals and communities.” NAIG 2023 Host Society chief executive  Brendon Smithson said.

“The Games help Indigenous youth to realise the collective potential of their bodies, minds and spirits,”

The NAIG are set to feature 5,000 Indigenous athletes, coaches and team staff from over 756 Indigenous Nations in events, including sport and culture.

Assistance under the deal will also be provided for provincial delegations, including Alberta and Saskatchewan, as they prepare for the NAIG Games.

Since it was first introduced in 2016, some 12,000 aspiring athletes have passed through the scheme and 1,200 have been identified

"RBC Training Ground has proven to be a valuable incubator for Team Canada," COC chief sport officer  Eric Myles said.

"It’s important that more athletes from Indigenous communities get the opportunity to compete on the national and international stage, and we’re looking forward to watching this next generation of athletes pursue their Olympic dreams."

 The scheme is also  offering 17 free qualifying events across Canada for athletes aged 14 to 25.(NAIG) 

"We recognise that Indigenous athletes in Canada experience barriers to participating in sport." RBC brand marketing vice-president Shannon Cole said,

“We hope that by bringing RBC Training Ground to regional NAIG events, we’re making it easier for Indigenous athletes to chase their Olympic dreams,”  

Participants in the scheme will be monitored by sports experts from Canada’s national sports governing bodies.

A group of 100 of the most promising participants  in the Training Ground will advance to a National Final from where 30 will be selected as "RBC Future Olympians" to receive funding, mentorship and other resources. 

Since the scheme was first introduced in 2016, some 12,000 aspiring athletes have passed through the scheme.

A total of 13 athletes who came through the programme took part at the re-arranged 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and last year's Winter Games in Beijing.

Seven won Olympic medals, including track cyclist Kelsey Mitchell, winner of women’s sprint gold in track cycling at Tokyo 2020, and Jerome Blake, who followed a Olympic silver medal in the 4x100 metres Tokyo 2020 with gold in the same event at the last year's World Athletics Championships in Eugene.

Marion Thénault, meanwhile, won freestyle skiing bronze at Being 2022 in the mixed team aerials.

Before attending the scheme, she had no experience in the sport.