Wasaya Airways and Lakehead University signed an agreement Nov. 21 to launch a sports leadership program in northern First Nations.
The Reach Up! Northern Community Sports and Leadership Program is an initiative between the Lakehead athletics department and Wasaya to provide sports teaching, training and coach mentoring to youth in the remote northern Ontario First Nation communities that Wasaya services.
The program will feature visits from Lakehead coaches and athletes with the hope to create a stronger interest in sports in remote First Nations. Also, athletes will meet with local youth to discuss peer leadership, life goals and to share their personal experiences.
“Wasaya strives to actively promote education and recreation programs in the northern First Nation communities we service,” Tom Morris, CEO of Wasaya Airways, said. “We hope that this initiative will inspire our youth to partake in a more active lifestyle, build relationship with potential mentors, and continue to pursue education and learning opportunities.”
The agreement outlines areas of collaboration between Wasaya and Lakehead including promoting sports, leadership and team-building in northern communities; increasing Aboriginal participation in Lakehead programs; providing opportunities for athletes to better understand Aboriginal culture; instilling confidence in Aboriginal youth; and promoting the importance of higher education.
“Lakehead is proud of this new initiative … that will give us another avenue to reach out and encourage Aboriginal youth to participate in healthy activities and to believe that their future can include post-secondary education,” Lakehead president Brian Stevenson said.
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