Stories from the land
Joy shows up in unexpected places: a wobbly day out on skinny skis, a burst of laughter echoing across a frozen lake, the quiet pride you feel when you’ve just done something you never thought you could. Stories from the Land is where we gather those moments: real stories from the youth, coaches, and communities who make up Spirit North.
Read on, and feel a little of that joy for yourself.
Rooted in Tradition, Alive in Play
A celebration of culture, community, and the joy of traditional games. The Northern Alberta Traditional Games Festival brought youth, families, and community together for a day full of laughter, energy, and belonging.
Building Bridges Beyond Sport and Play
How a pilot study in a northern Manitoba school turned years of teacher hunches into hard evidence — and made attendance one of the clearest ways Spirit North measures its impact.
The Power of Partnership: Canada’s Great Kitchen PArty
Every day in the communities we serve, young people are learning how to be leaders: with their peers, in their communities, and to the kids coming up behind them. This year, one of the partnerships helping make that possible celebrates a milestone of its own.
Trailblazers on Two Wheels: Southern Alberta's Bike Fleet, One Year Later
A year after accessing a new bike fleet, that spirit of "yes, let's figure it out" showed up in an unexpected place: a kindergarten classroom at TaOtha Community School.
Small Businesses. Big Impact. An Unstoppable Community.
This Small Business Week (October 19–25) we're celebrating the businesses and donors who came together this year to help Indigenous youth experience the joy of sport and play.
Staff Highlight: Lexie Obey
Lexie brings a deep connection to community, the land, and the people around her, creating welcoming spaces where youth feel encouraged to try something new, build confidence, and discover the joy of being active together.
Trailblazers of TaOtha
Sometimes the smallest voices start the biggest movements. At TaOtha Community School, a special request from the kindergarten class put their principal to the test, and he didn’t back down from the challenge!
Cheer for Your Team, Support Indigenous Youth
This National Indigenous History Month, we're excited to share a partnership with Budget Promotion that celebrates the power of sport and community.
2026 FESTIVAL FEATURE
Across 7 festivals this winter, staff, volunteers, and community partners came together to bring these days to life, filled with energy, connection, and moments we won’t forget.
Celebrating Growth and Connection in Sudbury
Thanks to a $372,100 GROW grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Spirit North is expanding land-based sport and play programs for Indigenous youth across the Sudbury region.
Staff Highlight: Finn thomas
Finn brings a thoughtful and community-centered approach to every program he leads. His passion for the outdoors and commitment to building strong relationships allows him to create meaningful connections with youth and communities across Ontario.
The Power of Sport for Good
Spirit North’s Impacts and approach are featured in new Calacus White Paper
Spirit North is reaching new audiences around the world, thanks in part to a feature in a new white paper created by renowned sports PR firm, Calacus.
Spotlight on Ontario: We’re Just Getting Started
Ontario is home to some of our newest programs. This year, 2,374 students across 14 communities and 27 schools in Ontario began exploring the local waterways with our summer canoeing programs.
Access and Opportunity: Northern Programs in Action
For youth living in Northern communities, with skis comes new, friendly faces and stories. Skiing is also a way for youth to connect to the land and each other when everything feels so far away.
Honouring the Land
Walking together to grow cultural programs in Manitoba.
“It’s all about getting out on the land and giving everyone the opportunity to learn. That’s where the real connection happens.”
— Gabby Hall, Community Program Leader
Youth Leadership in Action
Every day, young people are choosing to be leaders, peer mentors, and orchestrators of inspiration for younger generations.
On a Roll in Southern Alberta
A new bike fleet is igniting possibilities in Southern Alberta. And in communities where access to recreation can be limited, a bike opens a world of possibilities.
The Exponential Power of Partnership
Through our traveling programs Spirit North goes far, but with partners, we can go further. That’s what makes working with youth, schools, and communities so special.
A Legacy of Leadership
Skylar and Stephane Richard bring family, culture and the land to the heart of programs in Southern BC
Staff Highlight: Annika Olesen
Annika grew up close to the land and water on a remote homestead on Great Slave Lake and has been dog mushing ever since she could walk. She leads by example by being a beam of light and positivity, believing in the potential of all youth for the future.