Staff Highlight: Annika Olesen

Annika enjoying her favourite snack between programs, a warm cup of tea.

We would like to introduce you to Annika Olesen. Annika is a Regional Coordinator and Community Program Leader who has been with us since 2017. She lives and works in Treaty 8 and 11 in the High Level Alberta area and Northwest Territories. She grew up close to the land and water on a remote homestead on Great Slave Lake and has been dog mushing ever since she can walk. She leads by example by being a beam of light and positivity, believing in the potential of all youth for the future.

We asked Annika a few questions to highlight the unique work and programs she does with Spirit North.

Spirit North: Is there anyone in your life who inspires you, if so, how have they inspired you?  

Annika, her dad, and her parents’ Avait Husky float plane after an expedition hunting caribou.

Annika: The list is too long...I am rich in inspiring people! More than anyone else, my parents have inspired me to think and live outside the box, to ask hard questions, and to trust my gut. My coach Les Parsons taught me to be light and love in the lives around you. Another person who has inspired me is Gale Hayday. Gale has been a teacher for almost 40 years and is my sister in spirit. She inspires me to believe in the potential of the young people of the world, to be creative and energetic as a teacher.

Spirit North: Tell us a little about where you come from, where you live, and how you came to work for Spirit North.

Annika at 7 years old, filleting lake trout. These days, she fishes commercially when not leading Spirit North programs.

Annika: I am from a remote homestead on the northeast side of Great Slave Lake in the North West Territories, where my parents have lived for almost 40 years. Along with my younger sister, I grew up close to the land, water, seasons, and weather, and I still feel most at home in that place in the world. A dog musher since I could walk, I didn't learn to ski until I went to university at Augustana in Camrose. There I also met Les Parsons, one of the founding forces behind Spirit North. Through him, and a degree requirement of a "cross-cultural placement," I began volunteering for Spirit North in December of 2017. The rest is history. I still live on Great Slave Lake, partly where I grew up and partly in Yellowknife, where I commercial fish during the summer months. I also live out of my green duffel bag and little blue car for 3 or 4 months of travelling Spirit North programs each winter.

Spirit North: Can you share a memorable highlight from a program you've led with Spirit North? What made it stand out for you? 

Annika: I travelled to Edmonton with a group of high school students from Little Red River Cree Nation in 2020, and we all skied the Birkebeiner race. My race finished right around the time theirs started, so I got to ski their loop with them. That was by far the furthest distance they had ever skied, but they all finished, and we went out for a fancy dinner and to a theatre play in Edmonton. Most of the kids had never been that far from home before. It was such a moment of pride and accomplishment for each of us. Sport, especially skiing, has given me so many memories, travel opportunities, self-confidence, friendships, and all I have ever wanted in this job is to be able to share that with these young people not so different from myself. It felt like coming full circle. I also treasure the many one-on-one conversations I have had with students over the years, who have made me laugh and opened their hearts to me though we hardly know each other. I am always happiest when I can ski alongside someone, away from the big group, and just talk to one another as human beings.

All glittered up with adopted uncle George Seeseequon from Fox Lake, at a relay race in -30C temps in Yellowknife.

Spirit North: What do you find inspiring or fulfilling about the impact Spirit North programs have on participants? 

Annika: I love the way everyone who skis can come at it from their own level of physical fitness, competitive nature, and social interests. Students who struggle in class because of rigid boundaries and rules, or simply have so much energy they can't sit still are often some of the happiest skiers. Others who sit out gym classes because they believe they can't keep up to their classmates physically find joy in skiing where there is no pressure for them to keep up with someone else or hold up their part of an organized team. I have seen so many different students thrive on skis, at all different speeds and abilities; some are skiing fast downhill backwards, others are proud to have made it 100m without falling, and we are all feeling joy in the fresh air and freedom. 

Spirit North: How do you incorporate cultural learning or practices into your programs? 

Annika: I am always asking students for Cree translations of English words, and making them laugh with my attempts to repeat what they teach me. I have developed a small ski-specific Cree vocabulary that I try to use as often as possible through my programs. We look at animal tracks, identify plants, and watch the sky change. I am always asking questions, am curious and engaged in whatever culture, language, and tradition students or community members share with me, and am open to sharing my own.

Spirit North: How do you connect with your passion for sport and play outside of Spirit North? 

Annika taking a break while trail clearing with her sled dogs.

Annika: I am happiest when I am out travelling and camping with a dog team, bushwhacking on my cross-country skis, running long distances cross-country (anything but pavement!), and biking and walking to accomplish chores and errands.

Annika brings a deep connection to the land and community into every program she leads. Her curious nature and caring personality allows her to make meaningful connections while out leading programs with students. Annika’s unique upbringing taught her skills tailored to the landscape where she lived. She brings her background into her programs that she leads. She inspires us all here at Spirit North with her curiosity, caring nature, and love for the freedom sport and play connects us all to.