It’s a new year and our man in the North is making the most of the colder weather; during the winter ‘freeze up’ period all the fly in communities become accessible with the ice road system (see: www.mndm.gov.on.ca/nordev/winter_roads_map_e.asp )

Not one to miss an opportunity, Scott Haines plans to make the most of this time to work in some of the more inaccessible communities and he started that process in the community of Pikangikum last week.

You may remember we reported Scott and Elise’s journey to Pikangikum last January (News article 15.01.2009 “Scott of the North”) Last week when Scott went back to Pikangikum he was pleased that many of the children recognized him. Scott said “It’s important to build up a relationship with these kids and that they see we are here for the long term, in fact we noted a big improvement in behavior with one of the students who had been acting up during our last visit and now is showing signs of maturity and much more responsible behavior."

During their visit in 2009 the program had to be run in the classrooms because the school gym had been burnt down and it was too cold to work outside. Now the school has a brand new gym which made the job much easier. He was also pleased to be greeted by some familiar faces, Principal Phil Starnes and School Councilor Kurt McRae. Scott commented that both Phil and Kurt helped facilitate a great event and because of the new gym additional events like fun relays and foam javelin were possible. The gym also helped with the target throw event because in the portables (temporary classrooms) the bean bags would keep hitting the low ceilings.

Phil Starnes was an accomplished Track and Field athlete, who competed at University in Long Distance events and understands the value of good physical education programming. Kurt has extensive contacts throughout the province which has greatly aided the school with programs and opportunities for the students. Scott is hoping this community will invest in their own equipment because they have good personnel to keep the program running.

Because this project monitors the progress of the children, Scott was keen to see some of the top performers from last year and was very disappointed to learn that four of the best children were no longer regularly participating in school. Even worse they were starting to go down the wrong road with self destructive activities. “It really hits hard when you work with these kids and then come across situations like this. It made me realize how much more we have to do to make sure this situation stops happening. We do what we can, so Kurt and I made house calls to try and encourage these kids back to school but its not easy. We are already formulating a plan for our next project because we have to stop this from happening. All these children and especially the talented ones need extra support to keep them involved otherwise  when they hit high schools they only have to start hanging out with the wrong crowd and the results can be devastating. Scott has long stated that good sports programs can keep these kids in school “If a kid can make the team and have the support of a good coach who can get them to competitions it can make the difference in them graduating or dropping out, I know because I have personally seen it happen”.

On a positive note it was good to see that some grade 8-9 students were keen to try the program again and Scott said “It’s only when they have tried it at a younger age and had fun that they will give it a go. If they don’t get the fun experience when they are in elementary school then it’s much harder to get them to try and then you have lost them.”

Scott has also been communicating with Susan Kitchen from the Ontario Coaches Association. “It is my hope that we can build up a support network for these communities it was great to see many of  the older students taking part and I am sure we can get some involved as coaches. I see talent all the time and it’s such a shame that these kids are dropping out of sport because with a little support we could see some great First Nations Athletes”.  

Next stop: First time visits to Kee-Way-Win,  Weagamow and Muskrat Dam follow by a return to Cat Lake when the road system is more established and then we will be heading further North to communities such as Big Trout Lake and Bearskin Lake.

IFTA are supported by The Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion Sport for More grant “Keeping First Nations First” which is delivered in partnership with Athletics Ontario