CANMORE – Dozens of Indigenous youth celebrated sport, friendship and culture at the Canmore Nordic Centre on Tuesday (March 5), which local educators are proud to see.
Wearing Nordic skis on the snowy field, students from Exshaw, Morley and Tsuu T’ina Nation played outside with Canadian Olympians as part of Spirit North’s fifth annual multi-community ski festival.
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It’s on days like this that local educators such as Elder Phillomene Stevens, who teaches Stoney Nakoda culture at Canadian Rockies Public Schools, and Chris Pegram, a 14-year educator at Nakoda Elementary School, have come to appreciate.
“They (the students) really enjoy it, they look forward to it, that’s what I see and I know that,” said Elder Stevens. “It makes me feel proud, we can do it. Our children now they’re given the opportunity through Spirit North helping and with their encouragement and that’s what I see, I really enjoy it, they really take part in it.”
Spirit North is a charitable organization dedicated to the health and well being of Indigenous youth.
Through Olympic and high-level athletic ambassadors, Spirit North has a goal to reach the needs across the entire country one day.
Pegram, who describes his teaching style as hands on, said the students appreciate the out of the classroom learning and play experience Spirit North provides.
He said he sees a difference in confidence with those participating in the program.
“I’m an extrovert. Any of the people I’ve encountered in our community are mostly introverted … why I’m saying that is I think at times there’s some of that reluctance that pours over into experiencing programs like this,” said Pegram. “In the same breath, when I say reluctant, I wouldn’t have anticipated 60-70 kids sitting in a room at the Nordic Centre, participating in this … there’s a lot of kids who really are experiencing it. They are getting out and putting a
feel to it.”
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Starting in 2009, Spirit North is dedicated to improving the lives of Indigenous youth through the power of sport and play. The organization began in four communities in Alberta, including the Stoney Nakoda First Nation, and now works in more than 50 Indigenous communities across western Canada.
Olympic gold and silver medallist Beckie Scott, CEO of Spirit North, said it’s hard to believe they’re already celebrating the fifth annual ski-festival.
“It’s a real blend of two worlds, but it’s everyone coming together for fun, activity, friendship and culture,” said the Canmorite and recent Order of Canada recipient. “Our experience is that 95 per cent love it and want to keep doing it.”
Last year, Spirit North’s government funding was in a “precarious position” where uncertainty and worry surrounded the organization’s future. However, funding came through in the nick-of-time and permitted programming in Alberta, B.C. and other provinces to continue.
“It allowed us to expand into Saskatchewan and Manitoba,” said Scott. “We are now in 50 communities across western Canada and engaging over 8,000 kids this year as a result of that funding coming through and, of course, corporate sponsors, donors and funders, so we’re grateful.”
Visit www.spiritnorthxc.ca for more information.
