Planting Seeds of Change: Sun Life & Right To Play Unite for Play-Based Learning

On June 12th, 2024, during National Indigenous History Month, Sun Life's corporate offices buzzed with energy as employees came together for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to learning about Indigenous culture and Right To Play's land-based programming. Right To Play was thrilled to partner with Sun Life once again, bringing insights about culturally relevant programming directly to their team through an interactive session that combined education, play-based learning, and meaningful volunteer action.

The hour-long event, facilitated by Right To Play team, guided participants through three dynamic stations designed to showcase how play can drive positive change in communities across Canada and around the world.

Celebrating Indigenous Heritage Through Land-Based Learning

In honor of National Indigenous History Month, the session began with an in-depth exploration of Right To Play's land-based programming—a cornerstone of the organization's work with Indigenous communities across Canada. Participants learned how the PLAY program integrates culturally relevant, land-based activities that strengthen community connections and foster cultural pride among Indigenous children and youth.

The presentation highlighted powerful research showing that strong connections to the land have positive effects on all dimensions of health. As shared during the session, recent scholarship demonstrates that connecting youth to land-based activities such as hunting, fishing, walking the land, playing traditional sports, and reconnecting to language have significant positive impacts on psychological wellbeing.

Participants discovered how Right To Play's programming includes traditional harvesting and food procurement like ice fishing and trapping, cultural ceremonies such as sweat lodge practices, skills development through traditional craft making, and contemporary applications like land-based healing activities that address trauma and mental health.

The interactive portion featured three carefully curated stations, each offering a unique glimpse into Right To Play's approach:

Station 1: Volunteer - Planting Seeds of Change

Participants rolled up their sleeves for a hands-on volunteer activity, assembling fall seed planting kits that would later support Right To Play's programming. Working together, teams filled cotton drawstring bags with native wildflower seeds and cool-season vegetables like spinach and kale. The 120 completed kits represented more than just seeds—they symbolized hope, growth, and the potential for positive change in communities across Canada.

Station 2: Playful Innovation - Corporate Playbook in Action

Drawing from Right To Play's Corporate Playbook, participants experienced firsthand how play-based activities can foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. The games demonstrated the same methodologies used in Right To Play's programming worldwide, showing how fun and learning go hand in hand.

Station 3: Mindful Connections - Indigenous Perspectives

This wellness-focused station engaged participants in the "Stretch Zone" activity, designed to help them reflect on their comfort levels when learning about and supporting Indigenous communities. The interactive game introduced three zones—Comfort, Stretch, and Panic—each with corresponding actions that participants performed based on how different scenarios made them feel. Through thoughtful scenarios ranging from learning about National Indigenous Peoples Day to supporting Indigenous businesses and organizations, participants explored their own readiness to engage as allies. The activity sparked meaningful conversations about concrete steps individuals can take in their personal and professional lives to support Indigenous voices, businesses, and communities, encouraging participants to think about their role in advocacy and allyship beyond the workplace.

Creating Ripple Effects

The June 12th session exemplified Right To Play's commitment to its Declaration of Reconciliation during National Indigenous History Month, providing Sun Life employees with meaningful insights into Indigenous perspectives on wellness and community connection. By sharing the research and evidence behind land-based programming, and incorporating Indigenous worldviews into corporate learning experiences, Right To Play continues to build bridges of understanding and respect.

Participants left the event with more than just the satisfaction of a job well done—they carried with them a deeper appreciation for how play-based programming strengthens community connections, builds cultural pride, and improves the psychosocial well-being of Indigenous children and youth across Canada.

The seed kits they assembled will serve as lasting reminders that positive change often starts small but can grow into something beautiful and meaningful when nurtured with intention and care.

As Right To Play celebrates 25 years of transforming lives through play, partnerships like the one with Sun Life demonstrate the incredible impact that can be achieved when organizations unite around a shared vision of empowering children and youth to rise above adversity.

Thank you to Sun Life for continuing to champion the power of play and for creating opportunities for their team to experience firsthand the joy and learning that happens when we come together in the spirit of positive change.

To learn more about how your organization can partner with Right To Play, visit our Corporate Partners page or follow @RightToPlay on social media for updates on upcoming events and program impacts.