by Carolyn DiGuistini, Community Health Nurse
The Nuxalk Community enjoyed a fun day in the snow on January 17th due to financial support from the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).
Bella Coola is home to the Nuxalk Nation and due to the temperate climate in Bella Coola, locals do not get very many chances to enjoy the snow. The Tweedsmuir Club, an organization of snow enthusiasts, provided a ski tow, equipment rental, and the use of a cabin at the top of the Bella Coola hill for the day. The hill is a two hour drive from Bella Coola and a 30 minute drive from Anahim Lake/ Ulkatcho Territory.
Several families rode up on a rented school bus and most braved the 20 minute hike to the cabin despite the weight of all their snow gear. A few lucky ones got to ride to the top of the hill in a snowmobile.
The group enjoyed sliding and snowmobile tow rides in a skimmer; some youth skied and snowboarded for the first time in their lives. The volunteer ski instructor was excited to see a youth, snowboarding for the very first time, make it all the way down the hill without falling!
A barbeque hot dog roast and a cozy cabin fire rounded out the day and were enjoyed by all. One mother reminisced about coming up to the ski hill when she was a teenager. She was so happy to have a second chance to visit the hill and bring her children for this fun family activity.
Heartfelt thanks go out to the many supporters of the event: the FNHA, Tweedsmuir Club, Kerry Boileau, David Flagel, Steven Hodgson, Alex Boileau, Acwsalcta School teachers Colleen O’Shea and Luke Tremblay, and of course our wonderful bus driver, Jerry Tallio. Special thanks to the Nuxalk Nation and the Acwsalcta School for their support of this project. Special Blessings go out to Acwsalcta School teacher Geoff Gericke who was unable to attend due to an injury – our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.