A Trip Up North
I look forward to trips up to Northern Canada more than any others. It’s always a special experience, and last weekend up in Hay River, NWT, made my attachment to this vast, under appreciated part of Canada grow even more. I flew up on Friday morning to take part in the Northwest Territories Sport and Recreation Conference. From Thursday to Sunday, various leaders, coaches and volunteers in the sporting sector gathered to share experiences and listen to keynote speakers such and myself, and hopefully leave with inspiration and contacts that lead to more fantastic work for the youth of the North.
I went up with some pretty big expectations. The last time I was in the NWT was during an epic bike tour with Peter back in 2002. We rode the Dempster Highway, all 850kms of dirt road during horrible weather. Though Mother Nature was a little tough on us, even to the point of blowing us off the road just after crossing into NWT and forcing a make-shift camp in the ditch, we fell in love with the North after this wonderful journey. Glorious landscape and a plethora of wild animals satisfied our thirst for adventure, yet it was the people that made us feel this admiration and connection with the place. I hoped to meet more of the same kind of people on the trip up to Hay River, and I was not disappointed.
Me with two Canadian Olympic Heroines- Sharon Firth and Sue Holloway
After arriving early, heading straight to the gym to lift weights and then run, I made my way to the first session I was to contribute to. The focus of this particular session was how to get girls involved and keep female coaches motivated and supported in the North. This is a challenge everywhere but the issues the Northern Communities are dealing with are far more extreme than anything down south. Issues such as substance abuse and suicide were discussed and when asked my opinion on what could be done to help these kids who unfortunately get pulled into this dark world in their mid-teens, I was at a loss as to what to say. How could I possibly give any advice to the people who are in the thick of these issues, who care so much and are doing so much already? All I could do was remind these kind, generous souls that perhaps the most important thing to never lose is hope. Without hope, nothing can be improved, no person will be allowed to move ahead and in turn help others. It’s so crucial to realise that there are kids and stories that show young people are not all falling into these vicious traps. We read so much in the papers and see on the news the tough issues, but what we don’t see are the kids that are making it through. I truly believe these kids need to be supported and nurtured into the leaders they will be in their communities- in turn having positive effects on the future generations. It may seem small, but one kid at a time, a difference can be made.
I’d be lying if I said this was easy to talk about. It made me really sad, yet seeing the genuine caring of those involved in coaching and leading the kids, I was so totally inspired. Not to mention the youth that I met from communities of all sizes that are shining examples of the possibilities. At the high performance level of sport, it’s easy to lose touch with this kind of caring that I saw bright and clear up North.
That night I paddled with new friends on the Hay River, in perfect temperatures and no bugs. Early evening light cast a soft glow on the stunted trees lining the banks. How peaceful it was so float, paddle a bit and just enjoy the smooth flow of the river heading eventually into Great Slave Lake. The only wildlife we saw was a yearling bald eagle perched proud up in a dying tree. That’s OK, the gift of being on the water was enough for me in this new place I was lucky to explore.
Check out this video of paddling on The Hay River, thanks to Bell Canada and and www.RealChampions.ca
After a long run in the morning, more new friends took me out to the ‘warf’ for some fresh white fish from Great Slave Lake. It was perfect paired with fresh bannok as we sat with other locals on picnic tables out front of the little booths. Everyone smiled, enjoying the fish and the warm sunshine. Soon after I stood out on a driftwood-laden beach on the lake where the fish came from. A fishing boat loaded down with a good days haul chugged towards the shore and we enjoyed the view. What a massive expanse of water that lake is- made me wish for a kayak and some weeks, perhaps months, to explore the shore line. But that will have to wait until I’m no longer skating in circles…
On the beach of Great Slave Lake
Another session in the afternoon led to the Gala and awards dinner in the curling rink that night. I felt lucky to be there, learning about the coaches, leaders and volunteers of all ages that were being recognised for their tireless work. This was the most positive and ‘real’ sporting environment I have ever been a part of. I realise how different it is when one gets to my level, and truly enjoyed being a part of this caring at least for an evening.
After my keynote speech, it was fun to share a few of the Olympic medals I have with all of my new friends. It’s special to put them around people’s necks and see their eyes light up.
Sharing medals
Sharing medals with Joyce from Fort McPherson
One of these new friends from a small community up North left me with a story, and I’d like to share it with you:
One day, Grandfather took Grandson down to the Bow River in Calgary. Grandfather said to Grandson, “see that island out there, in the middle of the river?” Grandson looked out at the river and said “yes, Grandfather, I see the island out there”. Grandfather said to Grandson, “I want you to look closely at that island, and I want you to tell me what you think that island is doing out there. Is it dividing the river, or is it a part of the river?”
Grandson looked out at the river and thought for awhile. Eventually, he looked over at Grandfather and said, with confidence, “I think I know the answer, Grandfather- it’s obvious that the island divides the river. You see, when the river reaches the island, it divides it into two smaller rivers that flow on either side of the island.” Grandfather looked at Grandson and said, “that’s a very good observation. It seems like that is what’s happening. But I want you to look again, closely, quietly, and think hard about what you are seeing. What is that island really doing?” Again, after some time, Grandson told Grandfather that he believed he was correct.
Grandfather looked over and smiled, “well, grandson, what I see when I look at that island, is that it is earth and rocks and sand. When the river flows around that island, earth and rocks and sand are pulled into the river, becoming part of the river that line its bottom and make up its shore.” Grandfather and Grandson looked at the river and smiled.
Sometimes the very things we think are standing in our way are the most important ingredients in which we are. And so, I left the North with gifts of wisdom, of kindness, and of new friendship.
I left, smiling.
