The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council and the Arctic Gateway Group have been delivering sports equipment to remote communities in the north this summer.

The council was given a grant to distribute gear for KidSport that would get elders and youth active in the Bayline communities, and partnered with AGG to deliver the equipment.

Communities that have received sports equipment include Wabowden, York Factory Cree Nation, and Pikiwitonei, as well as War Lake Cree Nation, Fox Lake Cree Nation, and Thicket Portage.

AGG says it’s important that these communities receive equipment because sports and recreation are important contributors to mental, social, emotional and spiritual health.

 It goes on to say that helping to get northern youth active and pursuing their sports dreams, and it could potentially open up further sporting opportunities for their youth.