Meet Cynthia White, Sport North's new advocate for LGBT athletes

Cynthia White is poised to take on a high profile role as a champion for LGBT people involved in sport in the N.W.T.

"It's definitely something that I feel strongly about on a personal level, certainly on a sports level," said White, who will support territorial sport organizations with regard to LGBT issues. "I'm an occupational therapist. I've done speaking about inclusion in sport for other types of athletes and people. It's a natural kind of fit."

White, who is openly gay, is currently a high performance hockey coach in Fort Smith and was recently featured alongside other Northern sports figures in a You Can Play promotional video aimed at showcasing how Northern sports organisations are open for all.

'If you can play, you can play'

Spider Jones is an executive at Sport North, and was the lead behind the You can Play promotional video. Jones is arranging for White to be given the same training as Canadian Olympic Committee members who hold similar roles.

Jones says White will ensure Sport North is welcoming, but also able to act.  

"It's straightforward enough to make the video welcoming LGBTQ folks, but we want to make sure we have somebody skilled should an athlete come out, or it was learned they were transgender," said Jones.

"We've got one chance to do this right," he said. 

"If we don't do this and do a good job of it, it doesn't bode well on anybody involved in the process."

'A place to launch from'

For White, her role is just one part of it. 

"It doesn't just have to be me. Other people can take the training and be champions in their community. We might have a couple of knowledge holders in the beginning but that can explode very quickly," she said. 

"Every person involved can make a change. They are the drivers for change. They can all become champions."

Spider Jones says sports is one of the last bastions of society where discrimination and slurs still seem to be tolerated.

"It doesn't have to be this way. It's about coming together and sharing the message of respect and inclusion."