The North Thompson has welcomed Spirit North into the valley with the vision of transforming the lives of Indigenous youth, while inspiring them to discover their strengths through sport and play all across Canada.
Skylar Richard has been working with Indigenous youth and Spirit North for approximately three years now, recently relocating full time to the North Thompson Valley. Richard will mainly be coordinating programs with Indigenous youth working with Simpcw First Nation and partnering with the Spirit North program coordinators in similar roles in Kamloops and elsewhere in the Interior.
“I really enjoy working with youth and I’ve also worked with elders in the past. It is great getting out in nature together and we will be doing some fun winter activities soon such as snowboarding, skiing and snowshoeing.”
As an avid outdoor enthusiast with her partner Chance Breckenridge, Richard, 27, said she loves exploring Wells Gray Park and the surrounding beauty of the North Thompson Valley.
During her time as a summer student working with Okanagan Indian Band previously during the pandemic and assisting elders in an activity program she was referred to the Spirit North job opportunity that seemed like a “perfect fit” and she is really enjoying her time as a program coordinator in the valley with the national charitable organization.
“The mission of Spirit North is to create opportunities for Indigenous youth to participate in land-based sport and play. We believe this can improve health and well being as well as leadership and confidence skills for their lives at school, home, and community,” Richards said.
The participation-based programs are designed to encourage youth and help them develop skills that improve their performance in the classroom and motivate them to connect within their communities as well.
With their main office located in Canmore, Alberta the Spirit North teams are working to deliver their activity, outdoor focused programs throughout B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the Northwest Territories with plans to expand even more. The organization has delivered programs to over 13,000 Indigenous youth in 102 communities and 180 schools across the country.
Richard is excited about the opportunity to partner with other First Nations activity-based events and is looking forward to some fun wintertime sports and exploring with youth in the region through empowerment and hands on learning experiences.
“I typically work with elementary schools but I love working with high school kids as well. We will be doing snowboarding with the current Simpcw snowboarding youth group and the Kamloops Spirit North program coordinator is hoping to join in with her group as well.”
Richard graduated with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics (B.H.K.) taking her first two years at the Okanagan College in Penticton and graduating from UBC in the Okanagan.
“I’m really looking forward to what we can offer Indigenous youth in the valley and also becoming involved in supporting Simpcw First Nation youth as we explore being active on the land together.”
