Inuit cross-country ski phenom Jesse Cockney shuffles his way to the centre of the Morley School gymnasium to face a throng of screaming teenagers.
They roar in delight, whistle and wave as he flashes a sheepish grin. Slightly embarrassed, he launches into a talk about hard work and determination – skills that he needs to reach his Olympic dream.
The Morley students recognize Cockney, 24, as a fellow First Nations member and hang on his every word.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you really want to go far, go together. It applies to sport and life in general,” Cockney said.
Cockney, Olympian Perianne Jones and cross-country ski legend Beckie Scott arrived in Morley on Friday (Nov. 9) as part of Cross Country Alberta’s SkiFit program to share their experiences and hopefully inspire the next group of great Canadian skiers. It’s the first stride in a new program designed to teach Aboriginal students cross-country skiing, giving Grade 6 students free equipment, lessons – and role models.
Cockney was born in the Northwest Territories, but his family moved to Canmore early on. His father Angus is an Inuit artist who was born in Tuktoyaktuk but transferred to a residential school in Inuvik when he was young. Angus tried to teach Jesse and his siblings about their culture and instilled in them a strong idea of what it means to be Canadian.
“Growing up in Canmore, I wasn’t always immersed in Inuit culture. Dad was an artist, so I learned a lot of culture through art. It’s great having something to be proud of, having another part of my identity – something that’s unique. It’s a very Canadian identity to have,” Cockney said.
He understands the value his heritage has on his Olympic journey, but there are some aspects of his culture he hasn’t been able to pick up.
“I’m not really good with my hands. I can’t fish. I’m allergic to fish. I can’t smoke fish. It’s something my family enjoys, but it’s not something I can take part in,” Cockney said.
It’s not his first experience in Morley, nor will it be his last. His mother used to teach at the school and he’s eager to help out with the ski program.
“I had a lot of fun with it, working with Aboriginal kids and working with Beckie was fun. Hopefully they invite me along to do more,” Cockney said.
Thanks to SkiFit , similar schools have had astonishing results in northern Alberta. At Kikino school, the ski program is credited with increasing attendance and improving classroom behaviour and Morley school staff would love similar results.
“Beckie and Andrew Urton got the funding for the program in Morley through SkiFit North. We also thought what a great way to bring Beckie, Perianne and Jesse here to celebrate the Olympics and connect kids to cross-country skiing,” said Morley School teacher Genevieve Soler.
Morley Grade 6 students will travel to the Canmore Nordic Centre in January to begin ski lessons. Scott said she’ll be involved and will recruit more coaches interested in helping the program.
“We were really happy with Morley. Everyone left in a good mood and we made a great connection with the kids. We’d like to keep it up,” Scott said.
“The teachers and the students were happy to have us there. It was an exemplary experience.”
Jones is no stranger to speaking in schools. She lends her celebrity power to the Schoolbox program and spoke about the importance peers have in achieving success, especially chasing the Olympic dream. She grew up without a television, but her dad rented one specifically for the 1992 Olympic games so the family could watch. After two weeks, Jones was hooked.
“I watched every sport imaginable; running, diving. I decided I wanted to do this, it had an impact and it was really special,” Jones said.
Friendship had the biggest role in keeping her involved with the sport.
“I think the idea of goal setting and dreaming and having success is applicable to sport and life in general. I think having Jesse here in particular is really an incredible thing since he’s such a strong Aboriginal role model in the community. I hope it’s the beginning of a good relationship,” Soler said.
