Gudangaay Tlaats’gaa Naay School Athletics Program

With Truth and Reconciliation Day approaching, and as an Indigenous woman, I have been approached several times for direction on where a donation could be made that would be impactful. This summer I had the privilege to travel to Haida Gwaii where I was truly touched by the experience. The Haida Nation and people we met along the way shared so much with us – their time, history, culture, and much more.

This year I've decided to start a fundraising page for Gudangaay Tlaats’gaa Naay Secondary School's Athletic Program. This school is located in Masset, on the islands of Haida Gwaii in northern BC and has approximately 78 students. The school runs teams for cross-country, volleyball, basketball, wrestling and soccer and has student representation at the provincial level, with many of these teams training with limited recreational facilities. I've learned that there are major barriers for students to participate competitively, primarily due to travel times and costs to the mainland. Often this requires extremely long ferries and bus trips while sleeping on gym floors.

When I think about Orange Shirt Day and the national holiday for Truth and Reconciliation, it often brings up generational trauma. In my view, reconciliation efforts need to have a significant focus on Indigenous youth. Athletics provides essential benefits for emotional, physical and mental health, team building, and belonging, among many others, which makes it a perfect place to start when supporting Indigenous youth.

Artwork by Luke Swinson