Cross-Country Ski Program Grows in Indigenous Communities

Spirit North, a cross-country skiing program focused on improving the health and well-being of Indigenous youth through outdoor sport and play, is growing across Canada. Originally founded in 2009 in four northern Alberta First Nation communities, Spirit North is now operating in more than 35 Indigenous communities across the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, offering more than 6,000 students the opportunity to ski.

Appointed in 2017, the charity’s CEO is Beckie Scott, a former Olympic cross-country skiing athlete from Alberta. Scott competed in three consecutive winter Olympics, first in the 1998 Nagano Games, and then moving on to win gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games and silver at the 2006 Turin Games.

Scott joined the organization in 2006 and became an ambassador of the program. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Scott said, “I was really inspired and intrigued by the idea of sport for development — the concept that sport could be something other than high performance and Olympics,” said Scott. “I was very interested in ... the idea that it could be used to make a difference for people, especially kids.”

Spirit North works with each Indigenous community to create a program that works best for their people. Spirit North provides all the cross-country equipment— skis, boots and poles—necessary. The program is a day-long event where every child gets a chance to try skiing. “It’s a really play-based approach,” explained Scott. “It’s fun, it’s supported, it’s learning and skills.”

Spirit North has reported on their website (www.spiritnorthxc.ca) that their skiing programs have significantly increased the schools’ attendance on days when the ski program runs, and continues to promote healthy and active lifestyles to all the participants.