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Connect. Empower. Inspire. 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT
Connect. Empower. Inspire.2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT
Who we areWe are an organization committed to improving the health and well-being of Indigenous children and youth through the transformative power of sport and play.
Established in 2009, we work in over 30 communities, reaching an average of 6,000 children and youth annually with programming designed to promote health, foster resilience, develop life skills and inspire meaningful, lasting change.
“ Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire and unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.”
Nelson Mandela
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Ski Fit North
Our Mission
What we doWe are inspired by the belief that every child deserves a chance to dream, and the confidence and skills to pursue that dream. Our vision is to break down racial and socio-economic barriers to health and wellbeing for Indigenous children, youth and their communities, and we are committed to overcoming these barriers so that the children we reach can develop essential life skills, benefit from the power of sport, and reach their potential.
Our goal is to spark inspiration for health and facilitate the development of community-led sport and activity programming that will foster good health, promote leadership, and increase the positive development of Indigenous children and their communities.
We strive to work together and build strong relationships with educators and community leaders to use the transformative power of sport to achieve positive, lasting change.
We know that sport is universally recognized as an effective engagement took for children and youth facing adversity, and we are determined to make a difference by continuing to advocate for the equal right of Indigenous children and communities to pursue their dreams and achieve their potential through health and wellbeing.
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Ski Fit North
Our Vision
Sport is universally recognized as an effective engagement tool for children and youth facing adversity, through which important life lessons and skills can be developed.
Stories of TransformationOne of the fastest growing demographic groups in Canada, Indigenous youth are faced with enormous challenges. The statistics are daunting: less than 50 per cent of on-reserve students complete high-school, and Indigenous youth are five to seven times more likely to commit suicide than non-Indigenous youth. Substance abuse and rising rates of serious health diagnoses such as obesity and diabetes are a daily reality.
Community leaders and educators hold a strong vision for what it takes to turn these issues around, to empower kids to do what’s best for themselves, their peers, families and communities. Ski Fit North is proud to be a partner in this transformation. We operate in more than 30 Indigenous communities across Alberta, connecting children, educators, and community leaders through the values of sport. An afternoon on skis can give children a glimpse of their potential, empowering them to develop their strengths and skills as they learn and grow through the physical, mental and social connections that sport provides.
Leadership skill development and advanced learning outcomes among students, organizing their own ski team and experiencing their first ever ski competition – these are just a few examples from the communities Ski Fit North is reaching as we work together with educators and community leaders, using sport as a catalyst to drive positive outcomes for life.
Ski Fit North
Why we do it
“ I want to try new activities and I want to exercise more.”
(Student Participant)
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“ The legacy of residential schools and government actions towards Indigenous people over the years since Confederation is staggering. Every social condition measurable in Canadian society places Aboriginal people at the most disadvantaged position of all people in the country,”
Justice Murray Sinclair (CBC News)
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A path to healingThe 94 Calls to Action produced by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada highlight sport as an important tool for the purpose of reconciliation.
Action 89: We call upon the federal government
to amend the Physical Activity and Sport Act to
support reconciliation by ensuring that policies to
promote physical activity as a fundamental element
of health and well-being, reduce barriers to sports
participation, increase the pursuit of excellence in
sport, and build capacity in the Canadian sport
system inclusive of Aboriginal peoples.
Ski Fit North operates in communities across the province, offering our sport programs to Indigenous youth of all ages and abilities. While our program focuses on providing sport as a fundamental element of health and well-being, we also assist communities in building ski clubs to foster interest in participating in races from local loppets to the Alberta Winter Games.
Learn more about Ski Fit North’s commitment to other Calls to Action on our website.
Ski Fit North
Why we do it
ski fit northalberta.com
Ski Fit North
Why we do it
“ I’m a foster kid. Skiing made me want to come to this school and gave me something to look forward to. Now I’m a ski leader coach and that makes me feel like I belong and that I can be good at something.”
(student participant)
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Connect to communities, empower children and youth, inspire well-beingSki Fit North’s core methodology is focused on three key components of connection, empowerment and inspiration to effect positive development for Indigenous children and youth.
ConnectDelivering regular outreach programming to students in their own communities and schools, Ski Fit North uses a collaborative play-based approach to engage children in sport and activity. Our programs are designed to be active, inclusive and participation-focused as they build and develop skills that can be transferred back in to the classroom and the community.
Working co-operatively with schools and communities, our Community Outreach lead, expert coaches and trained volunteers teach basic technique, play games, develop skills and ensure students and teachers have a positive and supported experience.
InspireWe understand that in order to create positive change in a community, it’s essential to create the desire for lifelong well-being from within each individual. More than just time on skis, our holistic approach includes information and resources on such important topics as mental health, good nutrition, land-based activity and physical literacy.
Our trained program leaders are kept up to date with the most current and relevant health information and ensure that information is taught through child-friendly messaging and interactions.
EmpowerRecognizing that the most successful programs are community led and owned, Ski Fit North works diligently to guide and assist communities in transitioning from introductory program delivery to community-led sustainable programming.
Together with our partner, Cross Country Alberta, we do this through providing coaching resources and certification, competitive event support, trail development, and assistance with long-term equipment ownership.
Ski Fit North
How we do it
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6,023 Student Participants in Program Delivery
6,500 pairs of boots tied (this is program days plus MCFD and Loppets)
13,000 bindings clicked in (the above number doubled!)
Multi-Community Festival Days: 2
Multi-Community Festival Days Participants: 245
Round dances held: 1
Days of programs: 87
Schools visited: 36
Ski School fleet: 300 sets
Kilometers travelled: 24,000km driven
Loppets (races) held: 2
Loppet Participants: 120
Volunteers: 31
Olympic Visitors and Guest Speakers: 11
We’ve had abusy winter
97% of students look forward to Ski Fit North ski days
89% of students felt “Happy” after a Ski Fit North ski day
84% of students felt “In a good mood” after a Ski Fit North ski day
72% of students felt “Confident” after a Ski Fit North ski day
90% of students wanted to exercise more as a result of Ski Fit North programming
OUR STORIES AND IMPACT
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Some awesome stats from the kids at Kikino School:
2011-2012 2015-2016
62 suspensions 12 suspensions
85% school caseload 28% school caseload
15% of school population showed improved reading comprehension
95% of school population showed improved reading comprehension
88% of school population missed 20+ days of school
22% of school population missed 20+ days of school
2012-2013 we had 4 ski leaders 2015-2016 we had 27 sign up for ski leadership
Ski Fit Communities SFN trains and certifies local community members with coaching and education workshops, with the goal of increasing local capacity and promoting community-led programs. In this photo, world cup wax technician Patrick Moore gives a ‘learn to wax’ instructional clinic to the “Kikino Northern Lights ski leadership team” on the Kikino Metis settlement.
Laurie Thompson, Principal, Kikino School, Kikino Metis Settlement As a school principal we exist for one reason…for children to learn. Over the years I have watched students in my school improve and the one constant was not a literacy program or math program or music program…the constant was our Ski Fit commitment. I have marvelled at our growing understanding of physical literacy and connection to enhanced outcomes for learning, and am awed by the connection between emotional maturity and positive mental health.
As an educator I no longer need convincing. We have chosen to designate ourselves as a Ski Fit school. The joy that we see on ski days is indescribable and must be witnessed for it touches the heart. Our most behaviourally challenged students have found joy as they make their way around the tracks. Our autistic boys are now on even levels with their peers in physical activity. Our ski leaders grow every day in maturity and responsibility. And of upmost importance…our students are attending and learning. Our school improvement on the Alberta Government Accountability surveys and Provincial Achievement Tests have shown steady and consistent improvement.
Ski Fit North Alberta is more than just a program. It has potential for us to build holistic support programs around the children that we serve. There is no doubt that we are seeing long-term impacts on participants. The involvement of the community and families continues to grow each year. Our volunteer coaches and drivers have fully embraced the goals of our program. With the help of Ski Fit North we are continuing to work towards our dream of sustainability for our school and community.
ski fit northalberta.com
OUR STORIES AND IMPACT
“ The joy that we see on ski days is indescribable and must be
witnessed for it touches the heart. …There is no doubt that we
are seeing long-term impacts on participants.”
Laurie Thompson
Emily Parkin, Teacher, Tsuut’ina School, Tsuut’ina Reserve
The students and youth in our school are often faced with poverty, trauma, suicide, increased high school drop-out rates, and substance abuse.
By participating in Ski Fit North, I have witnessed students display the following qualities: confidence, teamwork, leadership, bravery and integrity. Students that participate in Ski Fit North are given a life experience that can translate to both the classroom and their everyday lives; when you experience challenges or difficulties and get knocked down, you can pick yourself back up.
In our most recent Ski Fit North outing with middle school students, a teacher told me that she had witnessed a smile from one particular student “only two times this school year.” Participating in Ski Fit North allowed this teacher to not only see another smile, but witness pure joy from this student.
Jon Prystayko, School Resource Officer for all Tsuut’ina Schools, participates in Ski Fit North activities as a way to learn together with the youth. This allows the youth an opportunity to bond with their school police officer and start to tear down walls that exist between the police and the youth. It allows an environment of mutual trust to be built and maintained. Constable Prystayko views Ski Fit North events as some of the most productive relationship-building events of the school year.
ski fit northalberta.com
OUR STORIES AND IMPACT
“ Students that participate in Ski Fit North are given a life experience that can translate to both the classroom and their everyday lives; when you experience challenges or difficulties and get knocked down, you can pick yourself back up.”
Emily Parkin
Nakoda Nordic “Lost Wolves” ski team This year Ski Fit North began Nakoda Nordic Ski team. The team is an after-school program geared at building skill, discipline, teamwork, and positive mental health. Its development has been in partnership with the Chiniki First Nation Youth Program, encouraging community volunteers, mentorship, and bringing the sport of cross country skiing to a larger community audience. The purpose of the team was to build commitment to a healthy lifestyle, to the community, provide hope and have fun after school.
ski fit northalberta.com
OUR STORIES AND IMPACT
“ I have been so honoured to be a part of this sport/social movement. The program has the potential to deliver so much more than skill in cross country skiing. Leadership, confidence, resiliency and persistence and just a few more of the benefits we have seen grow out of the program with youth from the Nation.”
(Genevieve Soler, Success teacher, Exshaw School)
When I first began with Ski Fit North, I had only ever known the ability of sport to transform one life - my own. Hailing from a small-town in East-Central Alberta, I challenged existing belief systems about what was possible for Canadians on the international stage, and turned a fledgling career into Canada’s first Olympic gold in the sport of cross-country skiing. Through all the tears and disappointments of my early start, I managed a full transformation, climbed to the top of the Olympic podium, and lived out my dreams and goals.
Along the way, sport became a catalyst for connection. Connecting to what inspired me, the support of friends and family, or the pursuit of excellence; all were fundamental and essential for success and maintaining a passion to continue the journey. Connections were what I lived for, and connections were at the heart of why I loved sport.
When I left the life of a racing nomad, I found that it was once again the connections I sought as I explored various avenues to channel my energies and pursue new goals. I never dreamed I would find those moments of pure joy and connection to sport again on a First Nations reserve or Metis settlement - but I did.
Ski Fit North is all about connections. Connecting Indigenous children and youth to sport, to play, to the land. To opportunity, to themselves, their peers, their strength, their potential and their spirit – and to the fundamental joy of movement. Many of the students in our programs live challenging lives and tell heart-breaking stories. We know that if there’s one solution we can offer, it is the opportunity to connect to something positive. A connection to what might be possible – and what lies within. Through these connections we witness the magic of empowering children to learn, grow, thrive and eventually contribute to the health, strength and vibrancy of their communities.
The principles upon which Ski Fit North was founded have never changed. We began this program with the belief that sport can change lives, transform communities, inspire individuals, heal and teach. Along the way and with every experience; nearly every time we step in to a gymnasium or school-yard, we are inspired and we are assured that this belief is one that will shine bright for a very long time.
Thank you for your support and for sharing our vision. Beckie
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A message from our program director
OUR SUPPORT ING PARTNERS
WITH THANKS TO
OUR T I T L E S PONSOR
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Ski Fit North is operated and delivered by Cross Country Canada
and Cross Country Alberta. We are grateful to those who share our vision of
healthy, happy and inspired Indigenous children.
Laura Filipow, Program Coordinator
(780) 415-1738
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