Donlin-backed Skiku program ignites students’ passion ǕĻЃĞĻďƐŇķķƣĻЃDžƐĚŹŇƣďĚƐīĞĞĻď Dž ď ď
REPRINTED FROM THE VILLAGE TELEGRAPH Each winter, with the support of sponsors like Donlin Gold, the Skiku program sends volunteer coaches to remote villages in Alas- ka to teach kids the basic tech- niques of cross-country skiing, a SPLW_Sd^[Z]_ʭ_QZ]LWTQP_TXP Last month, the popular pro- gram visited villages in the YK re- gion, giving students a break from their routine P.E. classes in ex- change for the opportunity to lace up their boots, clip on a pair of skis and hit the trails. “The best part is how excited the kids are and how much they love to be outdoors playing games, ʭYOTYRLSTWW_ZNWTXM`[LYO^VT down, laughing the whole time,” ^LTO =ZMTY 6Z]YʭPWO _SP []Z - gram’s director. In addition to lessons, Skiku Z`_ʭ_^ NZXX`YT_TP^ bT_S ^VT^ boots, poles and bindings so stu- dents can practice what they learned when the instructors are gone. The program forms partner- ships with local schools and com- munity leaders and would “like to develop more village-based coaches who can help get kids and families outside and on skis,” ac- NZ]OTYR_Z6Z]YʭPWO This winter, Skiku’s coach- es visited Golovin, Aniak, Ch- uathbaluk, Crooked Creek, Sleet- mute, Stony River, Upper Kalskag and Lower Kalskag, Atmautluak, Shageluk and Bethel, along with Z_SP] aTWWLRP^ TY OTʬP]PY_ [L]_^ of the state. An estimated 7,000 ^_`OPY_^ LYY`LWWd MPYPʭ_ Q]ZX the program, which relies heavily
on program sponsors, like Donlin Gold. “The Skiku program supports our goal of ‘every person go- ing home safe and healthy ev- ery day,’” said Andy Cole, Donlin Gold’s General Manager. “Studies have found that regular physical activity improves the health and quality of life of Alaskans of all ages, and that’s an outcome that Donlin Gold is pleased to spon- sor.” Skiku, a name that combines the Iñupiaq word for ice —siku—with ski, and its sister program, NANA Nordic, serve more than 40 com- munities across Alaska, from An-
chorage to villages in the YK to the North Slope. It works in statewide partnerships with school districts, corporate and community orga- nizations and volunteer coaches from the broader ski communi- ty to foster the health, recreation LYONZX[P_T_TaP^[Z]_^MPYPʭ_^ZQ cross-country skiing, biathlon and summer running. ?PLX^ ZQ ^_Lʬ LYO aZW`Y_PP] coaches instruct at local schools, supplementing the physical-ed- ucation classes. They also provide after-school cross-country ski clinics to both adults and children. To learn more about the Skiku program, visit www.skiku.com.
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April 2019
The Alaska Miner
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