Established in 1999, the Aboriginal Sports Circle (ASCNWT) was created through a national consensus-building process. ASCNWT was created as one of 13 provincial/territorial aboriginal sport bodies (PTASB) in response to the need for more accessible and equitable sport and recreation opportunities for Indigenous peoples across Canada.

ASCNWT’s mandate is to develop indigenous culture, sport, athletes and coaches across the NWT. ASCNWT achieves these goals through a number of community programs and events along with territorial and national partnerships.