How Canmore-Based Charity Spirit North is Breaking Down Cultural Barriers

Spirit North strengthens relationships, increases diversity in outdoor sports and encourages Indigenous youth to become leaders in their communities.

Photo by Erika Mann

Canmore-based charity Spirit North was founded by cross-country ski racer and Olympian Beckie Scott in 2017 with the intention of uplifting Indigenous children and youth through sports and play. It has since grown from being an Alberta-only organization to offering programming all across the country; 284 schools and communities participated in 2023.

While a large part of Spirit North’s initiative is to increase participation in outdoor sports by removing barriers for Indigenous youth, it also co-creates its programming alongside community members for a personal and lasting approach to outdoor recreation.

“Our programming opens up opportunities to learn new sports,” says Jennifer MacPherson, Spirit North’s regional director of Western Canada and a member of the Métis Nation living in the Battle River Territory. “Access to outdoor sports is expensive and can be challenging if you don’t come from a background that has a lot of money. Spirit North offers no-cost sports and land-based programs for Indigenous youth.”

In her role, MacPherson does outreach and builds connections with Indigenous community leaders, such as local educators, Elders and advisors to develop sports-based and outdoor programming based on community needs and requests. To apply for programming, interested parties can submit a request online and Spirit North will then facilitate a co-creation session. “The programs look different depending on the province, community location, and which leaders are in those areas,” MacPherson says. “We have a conversation and see what we can offer based on location and community access.”

Spirit North’s programs range from winter sports such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to summer sports such as canoeing, biking and games that incorporate Indigenous languages. The organization has also incorporated a youth leadership program as part of the sports learning. “We’re in the community long-term with a focus on building capacity,” MacPherson says. “We hire community members to lead programs and keep running those programs. When the youth see leaders in their community, it gives them the opportunity to reconnect with themselves and the land.”

As well as teaching youth the basics of different sports and providing them outdoor opportunities, another significant focus of Spirit North is to incorporate cultural aspects, such as including Elders and Knowledge Keepers in the programming. Some program leaders will often speak to the youth in their Indigenous language and help them learn.

Stewardship of the land is also important. “We’re not breaking down trees or throwing garbage around,” says MacPherson. “We’re being mindful of the space we’re in and picking up trash. We’re taking care of the land that gives us so much.”

 

4 Organizations Increasing Diversity in the Outdoors

Soul of Miistaki. Photo by Rebecca Ferri.

Soul of Miistaki

Soul of Miistaki was founded by Cassie Ayoungman, Niitsitapi from Siksika Nation, to promote diverse representation in outdoor sports on Treaty 7 territory.

soulofmiistaki.com

 

#NewSkiAB

#NewSkiAB is an initiative that introduces new Albertans to winter sports. The organization works with multilingual instructors and offers downhill-ski and snowboard lessons.

snowseekers.ca

 

Multicultural Trail Network

Multicultural Trail Network is a non-profit that offers outdoor programming to racialized youth. MTN aims to dismantle barriers to access and empower youth to experience nature.

mtnetwork.ca

 

Colour the Trails

Colour the Trails is a Black woman-owned company founded by Judith Kasiama in 2017. It focuses on creating opportunities for BIPOC and 2SLGBTQAI+ peoples to access outdoor activities and create diversity in sports.

colourthetrails.com

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This article appears in the November 2024 issue of Avenue Calgary.

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