By Nora O鈥橫alley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter HA-SHILTH-SA

Up Mount Washington, Indigenous youth can ride through the trees or sit and throw snowballs 鈥� it鈥檚 all about having fun and being free for members of the Vancouver Island Indigenous Snowboard and Ski Team.

The recreation-focused, 100 per cent volunteer -driven snowboard and ski team is accepting applications from Vancouver Island-based Indigenous youth ages 12 to 17 until Nov. 12. Members receive a pass to Mount Washington Ski Resort for the 2024-2025 season, access to gear if they need, plus holistic training that promotes healthy living and long-term love for the sport.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not drilling kids to go fast, you know all these things that competing brings. We鈥檙e like, `Just have fun!鈥�,鈥� said coach Steve Recalma, a community archeologist who is Kwakwaka鈥檞akw from the Qualicum First Nation. 鈥淟et鈥檚 just get out. Don鈥檛 think about anything else but being free and being here.鈥�

Team membership and admin co-ordinator Kim Leming says the program helps Indigenous youth reconnect to the land in a different way.

鈥淲e鈥檙e leading by example with the lifestyle that we鈥檝e chosen to have,鈥� said Leming, a veteran snowboarder who is of Cree descent from Lac La Ronge, Saskatchewan.

Recalma, a former competitive snowboarder, adds that being a role model includes showing up with a healthy meal, drinking fluids constantly and being clean and sober on the mountain.

鈥淪nowboarding saved my life from drugs and alcohol at an early age,鈥� he shares.

The Vancouver Island Indigenous Snowboard Team evolved from the First Nations Snowboard Team in Whistler, a legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympics. With a constant commitment from Mount Washington Ski Resort, the program has supported hundreds of Indigenous youth throughout the years. Going forward, Leming says they鈥檙e looking to build capacity by connecting with Indigenous leaders and working with other organizations and nations that can provide guidance.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been holding back. We know how big this can be. We know how it can bloom and blossom, which is amazing for Indigenous youth,鈥� said Leming, a full-time staff member of the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (ISPARC).

Recalma would love to see more Indigenous coaches added to the program, adding that one of his former students is returning this year as an instructor.

鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of like a revolving door. We teach the youth and then they teach the youth. They learn how to coach and they see how we operate,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are more than a coach to them, we鈥檙e mentors, we鈥檙e friends. They really start to open up to you and build a level of trust when you see them all season. It鈥檚 just huge for both parties.鈥�

He went on to share that he鈥檚 been spending a lot of time in the mountains these days and can feel the temperature difference.

鈥淚鈥檓 just really excited for it all,鈥� Recalma beams.

Leming can鈥檛 hide her optimism.

鈥淚 think this year is going to be a really good snow year,鈥� she said.

Anyone interested in applying to the program or boosting capacity as a coach is encouraged to email vancouverisland.fnst鈫昰mail.com or visit Indigenous Snowboard Team - Vancouver Island on Facebook for more information.