A First Nations Success Story Unama’ki Surf Camp A First Nations Success Story

The Inner Workings In the summer of 2013 the Surfing Association of Nova Scotia (SANS) funded and facilitated a successful pilot project for the youth of Eskasoni First Nations.  The program consisted of an introductory visit to Eskasoni by surf instructor and lifeguard Michelle Richards, followed by 150 free surfing lessons delivered at Point Michaud beach. In the past 3 years, we have expanded this program to include all 5 first nations communities on Cape Breton Island as well as the off-reserve population and have more than doubled the capacity of the program, reaching over 60 youth each summer. SANS and the community partners have designed the program with the following objectives: Teach surfing to First Nation youth as a healthy lifestyle alternative. Include a leadership component to the program. Develop the program in a way that youth who take the program will be positioned to be the ones who deliver it within a few years. Increase the number of partners involved in the project so the project is not solely reliant on SANS funding. To create a supply of surfing equipment (wetsuits and boards) for youth to use in the Cape Breton Region.

June 2013 – SANS and Michelle Richards met Wayne McKay to offer surf lessons at Point Michaud Beach to First Nations youth from Eskasoni and Membertou. July 2013 – Membertou youth were hesitant to get on board. Michelle visited Eskasoni to allow the youth to try surfing on their beach. July – August 2013 – Eskasoni and other aboriginal youth went to Point Michaud to take part in the surf lessons. June – August 2014– Iaian Archibauld, the coordinator for SANS, met with Wayne McKay and Krista Devoe to review and develop the camp. The camp kicked off with Eskasoni youth taking part. April – May 2015 – Beth Amiro, current coordinator for SANS, met Wayne McKay to review and expand program which led to further discussion with the 5 Mi’kmaq communities, Richmond County and SANS surrounding partnership. July – August 2015 – Beginning with an intro to water sports in 3 of the 5 Unama’ki communities, youth from all 5 Unama’ki communities gathered at Point Michaud Beach on Monday or Tuesday each week for 8 weeks and took part in surf lessons and lifesaving skill training – approximately 40 youth – with a full media day at the end of the program.

September 2015 – Debrief meeting with discussions surrounding branching out and partnering with local swim organizations and pools to further training in the off-season, and pulling in the Native Council of Nova Scotia. Fall & Winter 2015 – The Surf Camp is featured in a DHW promotional video highlighting the success of the program and the future partnerships between Membertou and the YMCA. April – June 2016 – SANS, Richmond County, the Unama’ki communities came together to plan out the 2016 Summer Camp. The camp had expanded to include the Native Council (off-reserve population). A head surf instructor was hired. Seven students were trained by SANS on the beach as Junior Surf Instructors to assist in the upcoming camp. July – August 2016– The Surf Camp kicked off, having all communities on the beach at one time. The 5 Unamaki communities plus representation of the off-reserve population came out and attended lessons. August 2016 – Stemming from the surf program and the swim training, 2 participants from Membertou have taken the National Lifeguard Training through the YMCA in Sydney. They have the opportunity to gain employment after the training. September 2016 – The Future – Where do we grow from here?

What it’s all about

CBC Radio Spot Newspaper Articles iMovie Quotes

Surfing only lasts so long! Training in the off-season Assessing ability & building confidence Eskasoni, NADACA and the YMCA has had a strong relationship for many years. Surfers have been trained in swimming and lifeguarding over those years Membertou has developed a lasting relationship with the YMCA, and after partnering with After the Bell, the surfers were offered Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross and National Lifeguard certification These relationships have lead to capacity building and employment for our surfers Swimming assessments for Potlotek, Wagmatcook and We’koqma’q Once swimmers were assessed, lessons were offered to build skill and confidence in the water The swimming program for these three communities was made possible with funds from Jumpstart and Victoria County, and ran for 6 weeks.

Membertou’s Lifesaving Project – Opening doors to opportunity

We’re not training surfers, we’re building leaders Meet Kayla. Kayla is a surf student from Membertou She has seen a lot in her short life, but over the past 2 summers, I have watched this girl transform from meek, shy and impressionable, to a confident leader who is making strides to change her life. She owes that to surfing and the doors it has opened.

Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean. —Ryunosuke Satoro When key players come to the table with similar goals, amazing things can happen. Not only to those participating in the program, but for everyone involved.

Contact Information Wayne McKay Cape Breton RPAC Wayne.McKay@novascotia.ca Josette Marchand Director, Recreation, Leisure, Community Relations – Richmond County Jmarchand@richmondcounty.ca Beth Amiro Coordinator, SANS sans@surfns.com Jeannine Denny MPAL – Eskasoni JeannineFaye@eskasoni.ca Krista Devoe MPAL – Membertou KristaDevoe@Membertou.ca