The GNWT hosted its annual Outstanding Volunteer Awards on Feb. 29 at the legislative assembly in Yellowknife, and the board members of Fort SmithSA国际影视传媒檚 Slide Zone Shredderz snowboarding club were the recipients in the group category.

For board member Terry Freund, receiving the award was proof of what hard-working volunteers can accomplish.

SA国际影视传媒淭he awardSA国际影视传媒檚 important because it recognizes the smaller groups out there that try to start youth sports in the North,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淪nowboarding, being kind of a solo sport, itSA国际影视传媒檚 really hard to find the funding and find the people to back it, because youSA国际影视传媒檙e not supporting a team of 25 kids or 12 kids.

SA国际影视传媒淣ow thereSA国际影视传媒檚 the acknowledgement that it can be done.SA国际影视传媒�

Slide Zone Shredderz has been operating its snowboarding club in Fort Smith since the Arctic Winter Games (AWG) came to town in 2018. The group hosts its sessions every Sunday, and Freund estimates anywhere from 30 to 80 people show up each week, depending on the weather.

A significant number of those who strap on their boards are young people, several of whom are now set to compete in the upcoming AWG, slated for Mar. 10-16 in AlaskaSA国际影视传媒檚 Mat-Su Valley.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a group of kids out there that have done very well,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he Arctic Winter Games team from the Northwest Territories has been selected, and I think 100 per cent of the female division is out of Fort Smith.SA国际影视传媒�

None of that would be possible were it not for the efforts of Freund and his fellow volunteers, who have spent countless hours organizing and fundraising for the club, and pulling snowboarders up the hill with their snowmobiles SA国际影视传媒� because the community doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 have a ski lift.

SA国际影视传媒淭he whole team works very well together,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淥ur volunteer base is actually pretty phenomenal in Fort Smith. People come out and help, whether itSA国际影视传媒檚 just organizing children on the top of the hill, or taking them down to Banff for training camps, or even just offering their time on a Sunday to Ski-Doo kids from the bottom of the hill back to the top, because we donSA国际影视传媒檛 have a lift. Everyone comes out and helps.SA国际影视传媒�

This season has not been easy for Slide Zone Shredderz, as there has been less snow than usual, in addition to stark swings in temperature to contend with.

However, Freund said SA国际影视传媒渆veryoneSA国际影视传媒檚 pretty excited for next year,SA国际影视传媒� particularly after the organization was acknowledged with an Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Nonetheless, the organizationSA国际影视传媒檚 primary motivation is helping kids get outside and build their confidence on the hill.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen we started this, a lot of the coaches were involved due to their children being involved,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淥ne child in particular was, I think, four years old, and he jumped on the hill and he was keeping up with the nine and the 10 year olds easily. It was very, very cool to see that, and heSA国际影视传媒檚 still snowboarding today.

SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of kids have gone from never using a snowboard before to doing the Arctic Winter Games and the Canada Winter Games, and itSA国际影视传媒檚 pretty cool to see. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 nice to watch that transition of someone that doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 have too much self-confidence in a sport, or theySA国际影视传媒檙e not really sure what theySA国际影视传媒檙e supposed to be doing, to having the confidence to travel nationally for competition.SA国际影视传媒�

The Outstanding Volunteer Awards also included categories for Elders, individuals and youth. The 2022 winners were also announced at the event in Yellowknife, but that year didnSA国际影视传媒檛 include a youth recipient.

2023 Outstanding Volunteer Award Winners

-Elder category: Louie Beaulieu, Fort Smith

-Individual category: Tania Hercun, Yellowknife

-Youth category: Katelinne Ruben, Paulatuk

-Group category: Slide Zone Shredderz board of directors, Fort Smith

2022 Outstanding Volunteer Award Winners

-Elder category: Diane Hach茅, Yellowknife

-Individual category: Nicole Spencer, Yellowknife

-Group category: Yellowknife Ultimate Club board of directors, Yellowknife