Adventure sports in polar bear country:
a social initiative for helping Inuit youth

Slide show, presented by Antoine Leduc
Cornell Outing Club

Many native aboriginal communities of the Canadian arctic are facing severe social concerns including high rate of criminality, school abandonment and youth delinquency, often in proportion among the highest found in North America. Many social programs has been attempted to help resolved these issues but with low level of success. Recently however, a sport-adventure initiative, modelled on adventure racing (i.e., "the Eco Challenge") has proved highly functional to reduce delinquency and interest communities toward a constructive activity. Using various sporting activities such as sea kayaking, rock-climbing, mountain biking and canyoning, the inuit youth are re-discovering their land, and new possibilities the tundra has to offer. At present, the 14 Northern communities are hoping for this social initiative to visit them, providing youth with a new-found focus toward a constructive and active lifestyle.

Antoine Leduc recently helped to organize and run this initiative in several communities in the far North of Quebec. He will present a stunning slide show and discuss the program.

When: Tuesday Jan 25th 7:30 pm, at the conclusion of the Cornell Outing Club meeting.
Where: Japes Lodge, Cornell University

Presentation is free, everyone is welcome.

-- MattStillerman - 14 Dec 2010