News and Stories First Nations

We recently recieved this message from one of our grant recipients in La Ronge, Saskatchewan.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I feel so grateful that you came all the way up to La Ronge to bring yoga to the north….I will remember as much as I can from the training and bring it forward as I begin teaching in the community! This so needed up here and now it's here and there's a good group of us to teach."

This is the kind of message makes us proud to be the leader of a provincial network that supports healthy, active communities. Our grant dollars continue to build capacity through leadership and enhance recreation opportunities for communities across the province, and have a real impact in making communities attractive and healthy places to live.

Thanks to the SPRA Métis Recreation Development Grant they recieved, Yoga enthusiasts from across northern Saskatchewan were able to meet in La Ronge for a two-day workshop where they developed their skills as yoga instructors. In addition to the instructor training, participants also received yoga equipment to help them facilitate classes in their respective communities.

Each participant committed to teaching 30 hours of yoga in their community upon completion of the training.

The 20 newly trained yoga instructors will be balancing chakras across the north in communities such as Stony Rapids, Buffalo Narrow, Jans Bay, La Ronge, Air Ronge, Lac La Ronge Indian Band and Ile-a-la-Crosse.

So, if you've ever said to yourself:

"I would like to start a yoga club with students in my school."

"I have always enjoyed the peaceful challenge that yoga has brought to my life and now I would like to share that gift with other people."

"I have the knowledge to offer classes to community members."

Then maybe it's time to apply for an SPRA Grant?

To learn more about available grants and funding for 2014-2015, visit www.spra.sk.ca/funding or contact us directly for helping connecting you to the grants and funding that can benefit your community.

We're always inspired by the creativity and impact our grants have on Saskatchewan communities!  In 2013-2014, our First Nation and Métis grants supported 20 diverse recreation programs and initiatives across the province.

Here is just one example of how these funds made a difference.

Community: Muskoday First Nation

Grant received: SPRA First Nation Member's Recreation Grant

Program overview
One generally wouldn’t associate Saskatchewan with snorkeling but recreation has no boundaries for youth at the Muskoday First Nation. Through this funding they were able to explore a whole new world below the water line during their summer camps. They enjoyed canoeing and snorkeling in local lakes with their new equipment. They even incorporated rock hounding as part of their program which involved collecting 100s of rocks from the riverbed. 

What's next for the program?
With the success of the program during the summer months, the program will move to the pool during the winter where the youth will learn to hone their skills and prepare for next year’s adventures.

Benefits to the Community
It encourages youth to be more physically active, exposes them to different outdoor recreation opportunities and enhances their appreciation of nature. 

To learn more about available grants and funding for 2014-2015, visit www.spra.sk.ca/funding or contact us directly for helping connecting you to the grants and funding that can benefit your community.