07/09/2023
On this we are Inspired by the work of Kinngait Recreation Director Joanne Weedmark. Kinngait, formerly Cape Dorset, is a small, remote community of 1441 residents known for soapstone carvings, printmaking, a stunning landscape, and arctic wildlife found on the traditional lands and homelands of the Inuit. From early on in her career, Joanne realized that the children and youth enjoyed being physically active. She emphasized that the youth can be physically active when they have the resources available. Joanne looked to create and support the love and engagement in sport and physical activity in her community. Weedmark saw this as an opportunity to approach Indigenous sports differently. She started with little knowledge of start-up recreational activities but believed in sport and recreation’s transformative power to help build healthy, active, happy and vibrant communities. In 2022 Joanne was named as winner of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association’s (CPRA) Emerging Leader of the Year. Since then Joanne has continued to promote, increase and enhance physical activity and sport programs and services in Kinngait. On this Nunavut day we recognize Joanne for her selfless work in making her community and territory a better place for all. To learn more about Weedmark’s work, visit: Kinngait, Nunavut, resident wins national leadership award for work boosting local recreation | CBC News
Source: USING SPORT AND RECREATION’S TRANSFORMATIVE POWER TO BUILD HEALTHY, ACTIVE, HAPPY AND VIBRANT INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES by Chrissy Colizza Sport for Life
Photos: Joanne Weedmark