ACCESS + OPPORTUNITY: SPOTLIGHT ON NORTHERN PROGRAMS
“In isolated communities it’s always a breath of fresh air to see somebody different…Spirit North brings new perspective, a fresh set of eyes, a different set of personalities in a different voice, which I think is a huge asset.”
Throughout communities in Northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories, kids patiently... and not so patiently... listen for the crunch of the snow tires and the throaty engine of the Spirit North truck, the rattle of a 1998 snowmobile, or the swish of skis and pulks packed with gear and the friendly smiles of Community Program Leaders.
For youth living in Northern communities, with skis comes new, friendly faces and stories. Skiing is also a way for youth to connect to the land and each other when everything feels so far away.
Community Program Leader, Annika Olesen
In the Northwest Territories, cross country ski programs are a winter staple. Led by Regional Coordinator and Community Program Leader Annika Olesen, skiing has become more than a sport; it’s a way to feel joy and explore the land. “Skiing is a great way to find joy in the winter months,” Annika shares. “It gives kids the opportunity to try something new and be proud of themselves for that.”
“Spirit North’s impact is positive. Kids love it. They talk about it to other friends and now those other friends wanna go, too. Now they all love skiing.”
For many students, it’s their first time on skis. Community Program Leader Taz Coulbourne sees skiing as a powerful way to build connection, not just to the land, but to each other.
“Kids come back and really feel that they can do things they haven’t been able to do before,” Taz explains.
Whether it’s a one-week visit from the travelling team or an ongoing community-led program, the passion doesn’t dissolve when the skis are packed up. These shared experiences leave lasting impressions on youth, on communities, and on all of us who are lucky enough to be a part of them.
Distance between communities remains the greatest challenge to travelling programs. Travel across the North can mean costly flights, long drives on winter roads, and limited access to accommodations. This makes these programs logistically and economically challenging to organize. We hope to keep gaining momentum in these regions to deepen our connections in the communities we already lead programs in and build new relationships in new communities, getting more kids on skis exploring the land while it's covered in snow.
With the knowledge and support of the community, we can deploy more programs to close the gap between communities and give every young person the opportunity to make connections far beyond what they ever thought possible.
