THE EXPONENTIAL POWER OF PARTNERSHIP
When communities, schools, and partners come together, opportunities travel farther than any one organization can go alone.
Through our traveling programs Spirit North goes far, but with partners, we can go further. That’s what makes working with youth, schools, and communities so special.
There is a saying that the sum is greater than its parts and that is definitely the case in Saskatchewan, where one of our key partners has been the Northern Sport, Culture, and Recreation District (NSCRD).
This partnership has been so successful because each organization brings its strengths to the table to achieve a common goal: to create opportunities for young people.
NSCRD’s mandate is to enhance the quality of life for Northerners by providing community-based sport, culture and recreation programs after school, in the evenings, on weekends and at community and school special events. This is the perfect fit for Spirit North’s experienced program leaders to bring equipment and enhance local programming.
The goal of the partnership is to develop and deliver a travelling, sport and activity-based program for approximately 8 to 12 Indigenous communities located in Northern Saskatchewan.
Being able to utilize NSCRD’s generous support for school transportation and their strong community connections – like bringing on Cross Country Saskatchewan – has helped to make great strides as Spirit North’s Coordinators, Luke and Kaylee, have already been able to introduce additional programs to schools. And the results are lasting, as many communities keep the equipment so that students can continue to work on their skills even without Spirit North in attendance.
In Cold Bay, NSCRD’s close connection with the local school helped Spirit North’s team set up cross country skiing programs smoothly.
As one NSCRD employee explained:
“Spirit North is teaching the kids how to ski, and bringing equipment if it’s needed. But mostly teaching them the sport so then the kids can continue doing that after Spirit North is gone from the community.”
This is just the beginning of how, together, we are closing the distance to opportunities for communities in Northern Saskatchewan.
Enjoy a glimpse into one of our Saskatchewan-based programs and our relationship with Montreal Lake Cree Nation in this video from 2023.
