CANMORE, Alta.—Nordiq Canada, along with its Divisions and Clubs, received a boost of support from the Government of Canada in the organization’s collective commitment to create a more inclusive and welcoming sport environment for all Canadians.

The national body for cross-country skiing in Canada will distribute $284,317 to 12 Ski Clubs across Canada to support community-led projects aimed at removing barriers to increase participation in cross-country skiing for underrepresented groups, particularly Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQI+, low income and newcomers. Nordiq Canada was one of 11 national sport organizations sharing $4.7 million of additional funding earlier this month for the Community Sport for All Initiative.

“Nordiq Canada is committed to building a safe, inclusive, and welcoming community without borders that provides all Canadians with the opportunity to get in shape while finding their stride on a pair of cross-country skis,” said Stéphane Barrette, Chief Executive Officer, Nordiq Canada. “We are grateful to the Government of Canada for this investment that is sure to make a positive difference in Nordic communities across the country.”

In the spring, 14 Ski Clubs responded to Nordiq Canada’s call for applications for Clubs interested in delivering programming that fit under Sport Canada’s Community Sport for All Initiative guidelines: affordable; results oriented; focus on organized sport; green; accessible; and available.

Particular focus was centred around projects where Club planning included partnering their programming with equity-deserving community groups to help promote and invite participants to each of their programs. The following 12 projects will receive funding this winter:

Club: Wostawea Cross Country Ski Club, Fredericton, N.B.

Project: Wostawea-Multicultural Association of Fredericton Learn to Ski Program

Equity-Deserving Group Focus: Newcomers

Equity-Deserving Group Partner: Multicultural Association of Fredericton

Funding: $10,200

Club: Strathcona Wilderness Centre, Nordiq Alberta (with volunteer support from St. Albert Nordic, Edmonton Nordic, and Fort Saskatchewan Nordic), Uncas, Alta.

Project: Newcomers Cross Country Ski Experience

Equity-Deserving Group Focus: Newcomers

Equity-Deserving Group Partners: Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, Africa Centre, Edmonton, Newcomer Connection Program for St. Albert, Fort Saskatchewan Multicultural Association, Francophonie Albertaine Plurielle, and Newcomer Connector Group for Strathcona County.

Funding: $4,560.43

Club: Cross Country Nova Scotia and Scotia Cross Country Ski Club, Halifax, N.S.

Project: New Canadians on Skis

Equity-Deserving Group Focus: Newcomers

Equity-Deserving Group Partner: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)

Funding:  $5,010

Club: Club Skinouk, Gatineau, Que.

Project: Le programme d’Hiver Ski Fier

Equity-Deserving Group focus: Newcomers

Equity-Deserving Group Partner: Service Intégration Travail Outaouais

Funding; $7,440

Club: Strathcona Nordic Ski Club, Courtenay, B.C.

Project: Strathcona Nordic Ski Club – Fully Subsidized School Program

Equity-Deserving Group Focus: Indigenous, Low-Income

Equity-Deserving Group Partner: Cedar Elementary School

Funding: $5,000

Club: Canmore Nordic Ski Club, Canmore, Alta.

Project: Indigenous Youth Coaching Jackrabbits

Equity-Deserving Group Focus: Indigenous

Equity-Deserving Group Partner: Spirit North

Funding: $741

Club: River Ridge Nordic Ski Club, Langham, Sask.

Project: River Ridge Nordic Ski Club – Indigenous Community Sport Development Program

Equity-Deserving Group Focus: Indigenous

Equity-Deserving Group Partner: Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Langham Local #159

Funding: $44,145

Club: Cross Country NWT

Project: Reaching Our Communities

Equity-Deserving Group Focus: Indigenous

Equity-Deserving Group Partner: Aboriginal Sports Circle NWT and Spirit North

Funding: $132,000

Club: Ski Birch, Roseisle, Man.

Project: Ski! Koda! Ski! 

Equity-Deserving Group Focus: Indigenous

Equity-Deserving Group Partner: Mahpiya Hdega (Dakota Plains School)

Funding: $24,500

Club: Kanata Nordic Ski Club, Kanata, Ont.

Project: Equity, Access, and Community Wellness through Outdoor Winter Recreation

Equity-Deserving Group Focus: Black, Newcomers, Indigenous, Low Income

Equity-Deserving Group Partners: Ottawa Carleton Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), Accora Village, Carlington Community Health Centre, 613-819 Black Hub Noir, Women of Colour Remake Wellness, and the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition.

Funding: $6,230

Club: Calgary Gay Ski and Social, Calgary, Alta.

Project: Calgary Gay Ski Initiative

Equity-Deserving Group Focus: 2SLGBTQAI+

Equity-Deserving Group Partner: Club is led by members of the2SLGBTQAI+ community including head coach Roy Strum, who is a NCCP T2T coach and coach developer.

Funding: $2,000

Club: McKinney Nordic Ski Club and Nickelplate Nordic, Oliver, B.C

Project: Skiing for Change: Building confidence among 2SLGBTQAI+ participants

Equity-Deserving Group Focus: 2SLGBTQAI+

Equity-Deserving Group Partner: Out in Schools

Funding: $12,500

“Whether it is skiing for your country or simply for fun and fitness, Nordiq Canada is on a bold mission to welcome all Canadians to find their greatness in our sport,” added Barrette.  “This much needed funding will provide our Clubs and Divisions the opportunity to provide the necessary leadership, support and resources required to deliver affordable and accessible programming in a safe environment that will unite Canadians on ski trails in all corners of the country.

Nordiq Canada is the governing body of para nordic and cross-country skiing in Canada, which is the nation’s optimal sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually. Its 60,000 members include athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all ages and abilities. With the support of its valued corporate partners – Swix, Lanctôt Sports and Pembroke – along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium, Nordiq Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and world champions. For more information on Nordiq Canada, please visit us at https://nordiqcanada.ca.

*****

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan

Media and Public Relations

Nordiq Canada

T: 403-620-8731