Reaching Our Communities, a program facilitated by Cross Country NWT and Spirit North and funded by the Nordiq Canada Equity Initiative, ran between March and April to bring cross country skiing to every corner of the Northwest Territories.
Over the course of two months, Spirit North facilitators, in partnership with resident ski coaches, led ski programming for youth in all five regions of the territory.
Communities in each region hosted ski weeks between March 12 and April 30. Neighbouring communities were invited to send youth to the host communities to participate – with the goal being to have skiers from more than 30 of the NWT’s communities on skis this winter.
Nordiq Canada’s $132,000 contribution – which helps cover youth travel and accommodations as well as instructor costs – made this program possible.
The schedule was as follows:
- March 12-17 – Fort Good Hope / Sahtu Region
- March 19-24 Fort McPherson
- March 20-24 Łútsël K’é
- March 26-31 Whatì
- March 28-31 – Tsiighetchic
- April 2-6 Fort Providence
- March 31 – April 2 – Regional Ski Festival for Beau Delta
- April 16-21 – Inuvik
- April 18-20 Aklavik
- April 24 – May 1- Ulukhaktuk
- April 23 -28 – Tuktoyuktuk
“Building on our existing programming, this funding will significantly enhance our joint capacity to deliver ski programming in a meaningful way, with lasting impacts,” said David Mahon, president of Cross Country NWT.
“We aim to restore cross country skiing’s status as the pride of the Northwest Territories through comprehensive grassroots programming that both introduces and equips more young skiers and seeks to build coaching and leadership capacity for the years ahead.”
“We are incredibly excited to be back in NWT and working with Cross Country NWT and Nordiq Canada. Spirit North is sending an enthusiastic team of four Spirit North Leaders and we’re looking forward to building relationships in the communities and promoting the power of sport and play for youth.” says Laura Filipow, Program Director of Spirit North.