Lined up in their school field, skis in hand, a class of 17 Grade 3 students at Golden Horn Elementary School were on-hand this morning to demonstrate, first-hand, the importance of recreational activities and options starting at a young age.

The students were part of a funding announcement made by Yukon MP Ryan Leef.

On behalf of federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose, Leef announced $2 million in funds over five years for the Yukon Northern Wellness Project.

It’s an initiative that will see cash distributed to a number of programs in the territory in an effort to “improve the health and well-being of Yukoners, especially among children and youth,” it was noted in a statement.

Officials at this morning’s announcement were quick to point out programs Yukoners are already benefitting from that have received federal funding in the past.

That includes the Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon (RPAY) ski-lending library which provides the skis to Golden Horn Elementary School. There’s also a similar snowshoe lending library benefitting other groups.

As Golden Horn principal Wendy Close noted, the students had planned to show off the skiing skills they have gained, but the early spring conditions weren’t good for a ski today.

“We want our kids to be fit and healthy,” Close said in addressing the crowd that had assembled for the announcement.

She later commented with a laugh that knowing there is also a snowshoe lending library through RPAY, the school will likely be looking at getting its hands on snowshoes for the students.

The federal funding announced this morning will mean continued funding for other local initiatives like Winter Active For Life, Yukon Active Living, after-school programming and Rural Healthy Eating Active Living and more.

It will be delivered by a number of active living partners working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the territorial Department of Community Services sport and recreation branch as well as the Department of Health and Social Services and RPAY.

Leef, meanwhile, pointed to statistics showing the need for active living initiatives.

Among them, he said, only four per cent of children in the country are getting the recommended one hour of physical activity every day.

As well, a third of all Canadians are overweight or obese; economic costs associated with obesity were estimated at $4.6 billion in 2008 which is based on chronic disease most consistently linked to obesity.

Parents, teachers and Yukoners need to understand the importance of leading active, healthy lifestyles and being physically active.

“It’s absolutely vital for our children,” he said. “It’s essential to get people moving.”

Also on-hand for the announcement was Mike Nixon, the territory’s Minister of Health and Social Services. He noted initiatives like the ski-lending library help Yukon youth to lead healthy lives well into the future.

“The Government of Yukon is committed to providing a better quality of life for Yukoners through its investment in sport, recreation and active living projects,” Nixon said.

“We believe in the importance of active and healthy living for all Yukoners, and we are pleased to work with the Government of Canada to promote healthier lifestyles in all Yukon communities.

“A focus on increasing physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco cessation aimed at Yukon youth now will improve health outcomes down the years.”

For groups like RPAY, the funding is good news.

Adrienne Marsh, RPAY’s active living co-ordinator, said RPAY is committed to promoting active living for all Yukoners through a variety of programs.

“This funding will help grow our programs,” she said.

While the federal funding does not involve matching funds from the Yukon government, Nixon said there are a number of initiatives the territory provides additional cash in its efforts to promote healthy living.

The Grade 3 students were presented with mittens following this morning’s press conference.