March 10, 2015 (Canmore, Alta) – Double Olympic medallist, Beckie Scott, will lead a high-powered group of Olympic and World Cup champions who will share a day of sport, activity, cultural-sharing and friendship with nearly 150 First-Nation and Metis youth at the Canmore Nordic Centre on Wednesday, March 11, 2015.

Scott will gather some of Canada’s greatest Olympic sport heroes including: Kristina Groves (speed skating), Jesse Lumsden (bobsleigh/CFL), Thomas Grandi (alpine skiing), Helen Upperton (bobsleigh), Sara Renner (cross-country skiing), Margo Talbot (international ice climber, X Games champion), Kelly VanderBeek (alpine skiing), David Ford (kayak), Justin Wadsworth (cross-country skiing/National Team Coach), Milaine Theriault (cross-country skiing) and Perianne Jones (cross-country skiing).

Some of the world’s best winter- and summer-sport athletes will spend the day learning to cross-country ski with the Grades 6-9 students from the Morley Reserve, Eden Valley, Bighorne and the Kikino Metis Settlement. Two-time Olympic bobsledder and CFL star running back, Jesse Lumsden, will deliver a motivational keynote address to the kids during the lunch break.

The initiative is part of Cross Country Alberta and Cross Country Canada’s Ski Fit North Alberta program developed to expose First-Nation and Metis, along with all Alberta children, to have an opportunity to participate in sport, with the chance to increase physical and mental well-being through cross-country skiing.

Scott is the face of the unique program. Over the last four years, the most accomplished Olympic cross-country skier in Canada has travelled to northern Alberta communities delivering inspirational messages to children in remote corners of the province.  The program is a unique and proud partnership between Cross Country Canada (CCC), Cross Country Alberta (the provincial affiliate to the National body) and now in its final year with title partner Statoil.

Ski Fit North Alberta targets Canadian Aboriginal youth between the ages of six and 14 in regions of Statoil’s core business in Northern Alberta. Scott, of Vermilion, Alta., helps recruit and retain children to the sport of cross-country skiing in an effort to increase awareness, support youth development and strengthen Canada’s junior athlete talent pool.

Who: Nearly 150 First-Nation/Metis Grades 6-9 Students
– Beckie Scott
– Kristina Groves
– Jesse Lumsden
– Helen Upperton
– Sara Renner
– Thomas Grandi
– Milaine Theriault
– Justin Wadsworth
– Kelly VanderBeek
– David Ford
– Perianne Jones
– Margo Talbot