Dozens of youth from 14 Northern Manitoba First Nations will have to opportunity to take in Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ games live this season thanks to a partnership between the team and Perimeter Aviation and the Exchange Income Corporation.
Up to 45 youth and chaperones from St. Theresa Point, Garden Hill, Red Sucker Lake, Wasagamack, Oxford House, God’s Lake Narrows, Gods River, Shamattawa, Norway House, Cross Lake, Sandy Lake, Lac Brochet, Tadoule Lake and Brochet will be flown down for games, picked up and transported to Investors Group Field and have the opportunity to meet Blue Bombers’ players on the field after the games. Those who attend evening games will also receive hotel accommodations.
“We’re thrilled to launch a program that will eliminate barriers for First Nations youth to take part in positive experiences and opportunities,” said Winnipeg Blue Bombers president and CEO Wade Miller in an announcement of the partnership May 12. “We’d like to thank Perimeter Aviation and Exchange Income Corporation for their leadership and commitment to giving back to the areas they serve in Northern Manitoba, and partnering with us on this initiative.”
Blue Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols and fellow player ambassadors will visit one of the communities, which will be selected through a contest, to deliver Blue Bombers Care programming next spring, modelled after a similar trip to Thompson and Wabowden by Ian Wild and Matthias Goossen in February.
“It’s a great initiative,” said Nichols. “As a player I feel strongly about being involved in the community. This is going to be a great experience for these kids and I look forward to meeting every single one of them. My family plan on staying here year-round now so I’ll be here to make some of those trips up in the next off-season. A couple guys went (north) this year and said it was a great experience. I look forward to having that experience next off-season.”
Miller said the players visiting communities in the off-season to promote positive messages is a key part of the partnership.
Northlands Denesuline First Nation (Lac Brochet) Chief Joe Antsanen said at a press conference that the announcement was exciting for him, his community and the youth of the First Nation.
“We deal with a lot of crises in the community, suicides, and the youth are struggling in a lot of ways,” He said. “Living in an isolated community, there are a lot of things they deal with on a daily basis. Most of my students have grown up in an isolated community and have never really had a chance to be away from the reserve. It will be something different for them and it will also be a good experience for them to go to a professional sports game such as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and get to meet the players. It will be something special for them and I’m sure my youth will be looking forward to that.”
“We are very proud to be a partner in this exciting initiative,” said Perimeter Aviation president Nick Vodden. “As part of our corporate social responsibilities, we promote suicide prevention, staying in school and healthy living; our partnership with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers align perfectly with those values and we feel the youth benefitting from this program will be greatly motivated and inspired. As an organization, we look forward to continuing providing assistance to the communities we serve.”
“When I first heard about youth having this opportunity to see a professional football team up close and personal, I thought what a positive event for these young people,” said Chief Ted Bland, Keewatin Tribal Council board chairperson. “They will remember it forever.”
