Find all the information about the two upcoming events right here. If you have any questions let us know. Send an e-mail to [email protected] and we try and get back to you as soon as possible.
ARCTIC WINTER GAMES
The Arctic Winter Games (https://awg2023.org/) will be hosted from January 29th to February 5th in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The trials for this event will be on December 7-11th, 2022 in Fort Providence. The logistics will be arranged by Sport North and the regional coordinators. Table Tennis North will run the competition and the Hamlet of Fort Providence will help us with local support.
Coach Selection Deadline to submit your interest November 16th, 2022
The 2023 Canada Winter Games (https://www.2023canadagames.ca/) will be hosted from February 18th to 25th in Prince Edward Island. The trials for this event will be on December 7-11th, 2022 in Fort Providence. Table Tennis North will be running the logistics and competition with the local support from the Hamlet of Fort Providence.
Coach Selection Deadline to submit your interest November 16th, 2022
Beth Warner-Hudson on behalf of Table Tennis North
“Who are we without the love we have for our children? It is this hope of a good life for our children, our grandchildren, and those who are yet to come that this work is based in. It is the work of the previous generations who have sacrificed themselves in knowing that the future generations will need space to exist as per the instructions of the Creator. Space where they will be free to grow and thrive as the Creator intended; for our children to be good people and to live a good life. Only, our children can’t do that.” – Grand Chief Gerry Antoine of the Dene Nation, speaking at the Dehcho Physical Literacy Conference; Fort Providence, Northwest Territories; March 2022 Physical activity for Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island is more than just the enjoyment and benefit of movement: it’s a foundation for living “the good life” that Indigenous Elders and Ancestors have continued to pass down to the next generation. Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived, thrived and grown in harmony with the Land and all our relations with Mother Earth. Colonization took away the ability to speak, to share, to grow and to pass on our teachings to the next generation. A lot was lost and there is still a lot to reclaim. How has this impacted how Indigenous Peoples engage in physical activity? The Dene Nation exists within the colonial borders of the Northwest Territories and is home to many distinct nations and regions that have shared relationships with the Land known as Denendeh since time immemorial. Grand Chief Gerry Antoine, elected representative for the Dene Nation within the Assembly of First Nations, recently spoke at the Dehcho Physical Literacy Conference on the importance of storytelling and passing on knowledge to the next generation of young Leaders. The Dehcho Region of the Northwest Territories is helping to better understand and deliver quality physical literacy programming as a leader in the field in the North.
What is “the good life,” and why is it important for Indigenous Children? Canada now exists as a settler state in our global society, which erases and limits what we know about Indigenous Peoples and their rich histories with the Land. Being on the Land is one way in which to share, support and learn from the very knowledge holders who want so badly to pass on their teachings to the next generation. Our ability to pass on these gifts was stolen because of Indian Residential Schools, and while we have been able to maintain some knowledge through whispers and storytelling from those who escaped, we are critically aware of the losses – of language, ancestors, family members, culture and identity. But that does not mean there is no hope for a better future. Indigenous Communities across Turtle Island are diverse and vast, and all have their own teachings, languages and cultural protocols. There is no “one way” to bring together all Canadians on the field or in the gym, but there are ways in which we can work together to bring back what was lost. While it is important to avoid generalizing about all Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island, there is unification in our responsibility as Guardians and Stewards of Mother Earth to protect, honour and respect her, and to live the good life she continues to gift us every day. Indigenous Peoples do not view physical activity as a singular domain for achieving the benefits of health, but as one of the important areas of life in which we must remain balanced to be healthy.
We cannot exist as grounded, healthy and thriving Peoples if our lives are out of balance. Balance is achieved by supporting the individual as a whole and taking a holistic perspective on wellness to address barriers to physical activity; our physical health will not be good if our social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and cultural health are struggling. Therefore, supporting more Indigenous-based physical activity programming is critical in supporting a healthier Canada for all Canadians. It is time to stop and listen to all the teachings, gifts and knowledge that Indigenous Elders and Ancestors have been saving for us since colonization began. It is time to find ways to include Land-based teachings and opportunities in our school systems, our afterschool programs and our sports teams, and at home with our families. It is time for all of us to take that step out of our front doors and take seriously our inherent responsibilities as Guardians and Stewards of Mother Earth to protect, honour and respect her, and to live the good life on Turtle Island.
Are you interested in trying out for the Canada Winter Games and/or Arctic Winter Games in Table Tennis? Come and join us this week in Yellowknife for 4 training sessions. Anyone can join our Open House session at 6pm at Weledeh School.
To sign up for the training sessions and to get more information on the locations and times, send an e-mail to [email protected].
The Arctic Winter Games trials are coming up from December 7-11, 2022. A chance to make Team NT to participate in the Table Tennis competition in Fort McMurray for the 2023 Wood Buffalo Arctic Winter Games.
Please find the link below to the Mission Staff Application for the Arctic Winter Games being held in Wood Buffalo, AB January 29 – February 4, 2023; and Canada Winter Games being held in Charlottetown, PEI February 18 – March 5, 2023.
Confident and competent board members build successful nonprofits. This board development series focuses on giving aspiring, new, and experienced individuals the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed.
Register and reserve your spot in one (or all!) of the upcoming sessions!
The daily conflict situations that we all experience present opportunities to grow our conflict competency muscles so that we can confidently engage in those difficult conversations. Join us to learn about the dynamics of conflict and resolution strategies to achieve a win-win result!
October 25 – Financial Literacy
Dollars, statements, reporting, oh my! Organizational finances should not be frustrating or intimidating. Let us help you begin to understand the financial information of the organizations you serve.
November 29 – Board Basics
You are on a board! Now what? Join us as we help you understand what a board of directors is, what they do/why they exist, types of boards, board of director titles, and the role of officers. We will use the NWT SPAR sector as examples to introduce different terminology: bylaws, board roles & responsibilities, and governance.
January 31 – Being a Board Chair
We have all been in busy meetings, where it is hard to get to a place where a clear decision can be made and board frustration rises. The board chair plays a pivotal role in running effective meetings to avoid losing volunteers and getting on with the business. Join us for a moderated panel discussion with three seasoned chairs who will share their experience on tips and tricks for keeping everyone engaged, getting through meetings on time, and ensuring an effective team decision-making process.
February 28 – Risk Management
Risk is everywhere! Join us as we explore what risk is, different types of risk (financial, programming, reputational, governance, and human resources), and risk management strategies for your organization.
March 28 – Effective Strategies
Today’s successful strategies are the ones that are deliberate, competitive, and able to adapt to the changing environment. Strategic adaptation must become an ongoing, iterative process of hypothesis, experimentation, learning, and action. Join us to discuss the key elements of an effective strategy and the pitfalls to avoid ensuring your organization thrives!
April 25 – Financial Statements
Behind every set of numbers is a story waiting to be discovered. Let’s dive in to learn what tale your organization’s financial statements have to tell!
In collaboration with
Lead Dog Consulting
Lead Dog Consulting (LDC) was founded in 2017 to support not-for-profit organizations, volunteers, and staff avoid the pitfalls of volunteer burnout, financial trouble, and a dysfunctional organization. The Lead Dog Consulting team has broad experience in human resource management, governance, stakeholder engagement, risk management, employment law, financial management, and policy development.
Fort Providence, NT, August 2022 – Table Tennis North and Ping Pong for Good are excited to announce their partnership to share resources and knowledge and to provide programs to our communities in the Northwest Territories. Together we will provide more research possibilities and increase the awareness about the many benefits of playing ping pong.
Table Tennis North has joined forces with Ping Pong for Good to improve the lives of those with neurological conditions by playing ping pong in ways to optimize brain health.
“We are thrilled to exchange ideas with such a like-minded oganization,” says Trent MacLean, co-founder of Ping Pong for Good. “Furthermore, what a peasant surprise to have this driving force come from the Canadian North where I first learned to play ping pong in Inuvik.”
Table Tennis North’s coaches will participate in future training sessions with the Ping Pong for Good program and join the offered virtual sessions. Connecting with other groups in the county in providing similar services and reaching more communities with fun sessions.
Executive Director for Table Tennis North Thor says “Coming together, sharing resources and knowledge is so important. We love the partnership with Ping Pong for Good and I know that amazing things will come from it. How can it not? It is all about learn-teach teach-learn!!!”
Don’t miss the professional development webinar Brain Health, Exercise and Ping Pong with Table Tennis Canada and Ping Pong for Good on August 10th at 7pm EDT. You can still sign up for this session here:
We look forward to bringing the Ping Pong for Good program to people across Northern Canada with amazing things to come from this partnership. Stay tuned!!!
The NWT Youth Ambassador Program gives youth an opportunity to build leadership skills through participation at special events and volunteer assignments.
Represent your community and the NWT
Build leadership and life skills through specialized training and volunteering
Meet youth from across the NWT and Canada
Opportunity to travel and volunteer at special events.
Two ways to apply: written application and verbal application
Selection based on community involvement, commitment to a healthy lifestyle, and reflection on how the NWT Youth Ambassador Program will help them in the future.
All eligible youth from across the NWT are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility – NWT Youth Ambassadors must:
Between 16 -22 years of age as of January 1, 2023
Be a resident of the Northwest Territories
Hold valid NWT Health Care
Must be available to attend the mandatory orientation session from November 3 – 7, 2022
We took the time to run a big outreach program in the Dehcho & Beaufort Delta region of the Northwest Territories. Visiting 7 communities in a three weeks period and providing National Coach Certification Program (NCCP) coaching sessions as well as Elders & Table Tennis and Community Table Tennis programming. We also provided communities with five professional Table Tennis tables and four youth sized tables.
The goal was to build capacity in the communities, provide equipment and have some fun playing Table Tennis. We trained a total of seven Community Coaches and certified one Introduction to Competition Coach throughout our travels. And we took advantage of this amazing opportunity to introduce ourselves and build a connection with the schools and recreation departments of the communities.
Ulukhaktok
Tuktoyaktuk
Fort McPherson
Tsiigehtchic
Inuvik
Wrigley
Fort Simpson
Now it is up to us to continue the support and communicate directly to our new trained coaches and to those we connected with. Our goal is to continue the relationship virtually and planning more trips to the communities in the near future. Trying to get as many youth involved as possible in preparation for the 2023 Canada Winter Games and the 2023 Arctic Winter Games.
A huge thank you to the GNWT’s Municipality and Community Affairs as well as Sport Canada in making this project happen. Without amazing partners this would not be possible.
There are now weekly Table Tennis sessions in most communities and we are looking forward in what the future will bring. If you like us to connect with one of the coaches in the community, learn more about Table Tennis or would like to know when and where to play, let us know and send us an e-mail [email protected].
Judo NWT and Table Tennis North, with the help and support of NWT’s Municipality and Community Affairs, the Mackenzie Recreation Association and Sport Canada, started a pilot project to bring a blended learning approach to small communities as well as building capacity.
Table Tennis
We started the project off with running a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Table Tennis course in the community. The idea was to get someone to help us from the community with our program. Over a two weeks span, we then provided both in person and virtual Table Tennis sessions to the grades 2/3, 4/5 and 6/7 of Deh Gah School in Fort Providence. Each session was between 35-45min long. All sessions included Aerobic Table Tennis as warm up and then training on eye-hand coordinator, racket skills, fun games and exercises on the table.
The sessions that we provided virtually were hosted by Canadian National Team Athletes from British Columbia and Ontario. As warm up they used Aerobic Table Tennis and then went into fun games and rackets skills.
Judo
Judo sessions started on Monday and Tuesday’s in person and on Wednesday’s virtually. The routine for each session did not change, what made it much easier for the kids to follow when it came to Wednesday’s. A few of the kids also participated in the after school program on Monday and got some additional training. Those that came were able to support others in our Wednesday session that was hosted virtually.
We are definitely proud of all the classes and the kids participating in the sessions. Teachers helped, supported and participated on the matt.
“What an amazing opportunity to build capacity in the community and provide programming in person and virtually. It works. Let’s continue and provide quality programs like this to small communities of the Northwest Territories” says Table Tennis North’s Executive Director Thorsten Gohl.
The programming will continue in Fort Providence for both sports. Table Tennis is available 3 times during the week at 5pm with our new Community Coach Neilson. Judo will continue on Monday’s in the after school program and on Wednesday during Physical Education classes virtually.
“Amazing things will come from this” says Thorsten Gohl with a big smile on his face. We are looking forward to continue this partnership and the blended learning approach in Fort Providence.
