Hazelton Cross-Country Ski Society

“The idea that we are all the same echoed in my mind all of my life, but the newcomers did not always treat us with respect…. Gitxsan students had to attend Residential Schools and Indian Day Schools…. [L]ack of respect for a people upsets the balance. Young people need to know that events such as this occurred on Gitxsan lands. All people must remember to show respect to all creation.”

 

Xsiwis, Dr. M.J. Smith (2004) Gitxsan Educator and Storyteller

 

The Hazelton Cross Country Ski Society acknowledges that we are situated on the unceded territory of the Gitxsan Nation and that we all have a collective responsibility to contribute to recovering from the impact of Residential Schools.  

 

The Hazelton Cross Country Ski Society believes that developing cross-country ski opportunities for the communities on Gitxsan Territory can promote Truth and Reconciliation by contributing to the following Calls to Action:

 

Action 88: We call upon all levels of government to take action to ensure long-term Aboriginal athlete development and growth, and continued support for the North American Indigenous Games, including funding to host the games and for provincial and territorial team preparation and travel.

 

Action 89: We call upon the federal government to amend the Physical Activity and Sport Act to support reconciliation by ensuring that policies to promote physical activity as a fundamental element of health and well-being, reduce barriers to sports participation, increase the pursuit of excellence in sport, and build capacity in the Canadian sport system, are inclusive of Aboriginal peoples.

 

Action 91: We call upon the federal government to ensure that national sports policies, programs, and initiatives are inclusive of Aboriginal peoples, including, but not limited to, establishing:

 

i. In collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, stable funding for, and access to community sports programs that reflect the diverse cultures and traditional sporting activities of Aboriginal peoples.