November 18, 2013 – With the first flakes of snow and a winter chill in the air, Ski Fit North Alberta is revving up to roll out another jam-packed winter of programming. Hard to believe that four fantastic years have already flown by, but we at SFNA are as inspired and enthusiastic as ever as we continue our work with Alberta’s Aboriginal youth.

When I first signed up with SFNA, I had admittedly very little experience with Canada’s First-Nations and Metis communities. Though most of these communities are in our backyard (figuratively speaking), I had never been to one and knew very little about the culture, the customs or the kids we would be working with. Like many Canadians, I was vaguely aware of the socio-economic struggles and difficulties so many of our Aboriginal people live with, but it didn’t resonate or feel ‘real’ until I began travelling to the communities, meeting with leaders, speaking to children and hearing the stories.

Our mission has always been to bring the joy and transformative power of sport to the children and youth who need it most. Through the work of a small but totally dedicated team (who seem to grow more dedicated each year), a visionary sponsor, and the principals, educators and community leaders who have embraced us and the program, Ski Fit North Alberta is reaching some of our most remote, isolated communities and changing lives. It is powerful, inspirational, and occasionally heart-breaking, but perhaps one of the most rewarding things I could ever imagine being a part of. When the shy smiles and sideways glances turn in to giant bear-hugs, or I feel a tiny hand grab on to mine to hold, or, I’m told to get my own coffee because I’m not a visitor – I’m a friend, I realize what a privilege it is to be accepted and to be welcome in these communities and settlements, and there’s no better feeling.

This year Andrew Urton, Mike Neary and I will hit the road once again to bring Ski Fit North to our province’s many First-Nation and Metis youth. We’ve just finished up our first ever dry-land training camp in Kikino and are excitedly preparing for a school visit featuring Perianne Jones and Jesse Cockney in Morley. We’ve got a bunch of new communities on the roster and, as always, we’ll be returning to many we’ve already engaged for repeat visits, ensuring the program lives and the impact lingers long after we’ve gone.

Stay up-to-date with us and the Ski Fit North Alberta program through this blog as we make our way around Alberta bringing the power of sport to our Aboriginal youth.

Next stop Morley!

For more information on Ski Fit North Alberta click here.

Here is a video that shows the work we did last season with SFNA: