The Yard Challenge included 19 youth and nine mentors. (Facebook/Men of the North)

By Derek Cornet

summer work

MOTN completes Yard Challenge, reward includes Sask. Roughriders game in Regina

Aug 23, 2023 | 1:47 PM

It was a successful summer for Men of the North’s (MOTN) 65-Yard Challenge, whose mentors and youth were able to beat their goal and were rewarded with a weekend trip to Regina.

This year marked an expansion of the program with Buffalo Narrows and Prince Albert joining the challenge for the first time. The Yard Challenge began four years ago in the Lac La Ronge area with Saskatoon joining in 2022.

The goal was for each team to complete at least 16 yards this summer. In previous years, those who participated in the project were treated to a northern canoe trip as a reward.

“We ended up getting a total of 71 yards completed across four different communities,” MOTN founder Christopher Merasty said.

“This year we wanted to change things up a little bit just to hopefully increase our capacity for next year, so that we can expand our program into a couple of more communities, involve more mentors, more youth, more Elders, more families, etc. That’s why we went down to Regina is to help us to grow the program a little bit more and to hopefully access additional funding, support and resources.”

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The group left for Regina on Aug. 17 and were able to take part in swimming, movies, bowling, yoga, traditional hand games, as well as pipe and sweat ceremonies. They also attended the Saskatchewan Roughriders versus B.C. Lions game on Sunday at Mosaic Stadium. There, they were able to meet offensive lineman Philip Anthony Blake.

A Roughriders game at Mosiac Stadium was one of the many perks. (Facebook/Men of the North)

Merasty explained the cost of the Yard Challenge was approximately $15,800, which included 19 youth, nine mentors, a two-person film crew, two Elders and a bus driver for a total of $478 per person. He noted the program and trip also included traditional teachings, mental health education, physical self-development, giving back to the community, beautifying four communities, social development and the creation of new friendships.

“The driving force behind this challenge was we understood the many issues that men and male youth face in our country such as gang involvement, incarceration, drug addiction, suicides, can be all pressing concerns rooted to the lack of positive role models in our communities, and opportunities in our communities,” Merasty said.

“We hope to provide this mentoring program that aims to break these cycles by offering guidance, support and meaningful activities throughout the summer.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com