Working hand in hand with communities across the country, Spirit North’s aim is to ensure that all Indigenous youth have access to quality sport and recreation programming and the resulting positive outcomes that all kids deserve.
It’s universally known that regular participation in sport supports improved health, education, and socio-emotional development. But many Indigenous youth face systemic barriers to the benefits of sport and play.
Ensuring sport is accessible and fun for everyone is where Spirit North shines. Their team’s warm and well-rounded approach to providing programs that resonate within communities helps youth to feel encouraged and included. And Spirit North programs remind kids they have the experience, confidence and abilities within them to enjoy play and nature in their own time, along with their friends and families.
Spirit North was founded in 2017 by Olympic cross-country medalist Beckie Scott as a cross-country ski program. Through invitations from Indigenous communities who see the programs’ value, the organization has now grown exponentially so that in the 2023-2024 season Spirit North reached more than 16,000 Indigenous youth across 117 communities and 181 schools in six provinces and territories.
Dedication to listening and working with communities allows their programs to be infused with connection to local land and cultural practices. Spirit North’s program offerings now engage kids in everything from cross-country skiing and mountain biking to plant and animal identification, traditional games, and canoeing.
The results speak volumes:
Rocky’s Community Bars are inspired by the earth: what better match than a partner whose programming exists to bring Indigenous youth into the outdoors, where they can learn, grow, and flourish, listening deeply to the land and the people who know it best.
"We’re grateful to walk alongside a partner like Rocky who shares our values and honours the power of nature to heal and uplift. Thank you for supporting and believing in this work!"
-Gary St Amand, CEO of Spirit North
We are excited to amplify Spirit North and their partner communities’ efforts to reach more youth, support more mentors, and nurture land-based learning. Collectively, we’re ensuring that children gain confidence, relationships are strengthened, and the land remains central to everyone’s health and identity.
It’s an investment in and a tribute to the next generation of Indigenous leaders across the country, grounded in culture, confidence, and care for the earth.
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