The Northern Cultural Expressions Society is holding skateboard workshops for Indigenous youth.

Bre-Anna Schilling, the Kids Skateboard Workshops Assistant, says, “We have five instructors, and they are teaching the kids how to assemble the skateboard.

“And once they assemble the skateboard, then they teach them how to skateboard, and then if the kids already have a little bit of knowledge, then they teach them a little bit up a notch. Also the beginners, they teach them how to get their balance, and how to slowly improve and get used to the board.”

The youth range in age from five 10 13. The 11-13 group had their workshop on Monday. The eight to ten group have their workshop today, and the youngest group, aged five to seven, take their turn on Monday July 26.

There is a limit of six kids in each group as per COVID protocols. Four children took part on Monday. Five will take part on Friday, July 23 and three or four kids next Monday.

Schilling says the workshops give kids something to do.

“We thought it would be cool to have a skateboarding workshop and kind of aim for kids who need something to do, and are interested in skateboarding and learning… teaching them how to assemble skateboards.”

Northern Cultural Expressions Society will also be holding mountain biking workshops at Mt. Sima on August 4th, 11th, and 14th.