The Alaskan-Canadian Hockey Schools in cooperation with the Midnight Sun Hockey Association, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks is proud to provide the Turtle Island Hockey Camp and Cultural Retreat.  This program offers a full hockey camp and recreational program for the Native Youth Community from throughout North America. The M.S.H.A. has served the Fairbanks hockey community for many years offering clinics and tournaments for children and adults.  M.S.H.A. will serve as a non-profit entity, which will administer funding to the program.  UAF will work in conjunction with M.S.H.A. and ALCAN offering facilities and guidance with all facets of the program.  In addition, The National Hockey League (NHL) Ethnic Diversity Task Force has endorsed the program, with the participation of Fred Sasakamoose as Turtle Island Honorary Spokesman.
 

Our Mission is to offer an environment and group setting for youth aged participants to develop self-esteem, positive social skills, and healthy lifestyles through cultural and recreational activities. Youth will recognize their full potential through holistic, individual centered programming approaches to sport and life skill development.  We will provide community-based programs to meet the needs of specific populations, such as racial and ethnic minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and low-income groups.

We would like to introduce the plans and the concept of the program in the following Question and Answer Format:

What are the Program Objectives?
• Assist Youth who are looking for guidance and support in their lives
• Develop greater self-esteem and self-confidence
• Improve self-worth and inner strength
• Encourage participants to take responsibility for their own life and actions
• Develop skills to achieve academic success
• Improve communication with parents and friends
• Foster skills to meet life’s challenges
• Expose participants to role models and positive choices
 

How will this Project impact our Youth?
This project will have a positive effect on our youth in a number of ways.  This program will offer Native children the once-in-a lifetime opportunity to interact with other children from throughout Alaska and Canada. The program promotes a holistic approach to youth development by addressing the social, mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of personal wellness. The youth who participate will celebrate their culture through participation in their traditions as an alternative to drugs and alcohol.  We structure the programs to offer youth direct support and also encourage parents and guardians to provide support through participation with the programs and increased involvement with their child’s activities. Working with other youth service providers, the program can access appropriate services for each individual.

What format will the Program follow?
The children will interact with one another discussing different cultures, today’s society, and the positive contributions they can make.  They will interact with Counselors, and Peer Leaders who will share their life experiences, and inspire our youth to strive for excellence in the future.

What makes our project so special?
Our project is unique and special for the following reasons:
• Native Culture: This is an Intervention and Prevention Program and seeks to promote and develop life skills, decision-making abilities, and problem solving skills, as well as to provide information about the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. This experience will empower Native youth participants to succeed in the future.  We will also provide a team atmosphere for youth from across the continent to get to know one another.
• Alaska: the adventure and mystique of visiting Alaska for a once-in-a-lifetime experience will include a variety of Alaskan activities.
• Hockey Camp: we have top level Professional Instructors, as well as Native Special Guests & Mentors.  The youth will be able to interact and ask questions, and leave with a positive perspective on their future endeavors.
 

What does the Program include for the Participants?
The camp will include the following:
1) Travel arrangements from locations throughout North America to Fairbanks, Alaska
2) Room and Board at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
3) Full Hockey Camp: 2 Ice sessions Daily, Fitness Training, Hockey Theory and Strategy
4) Group Discussions: Native & Societal concerns with Counselors and Peer Leaders
5) Alaskan Cultural Activities
6) Banquet and Final Day extravaganza
7) Camp Package: Jersey, hat, training booklet & gear, journal, camera, prepaid phone card.

History of the Program: Turtle Island 2002 was the initial year for this program. With the endorsement and assistance of the NHL Ethnic Diversity Task Force & Fred Sasakamoose, the program was an overwhelming success.  Our Program Director Marcel Aubin has directed recreation & intervention programs for Native Youth, and has spent the past year as the Director of Hockey Operations for the Salt Lake City Olympic Organizing Committee and the Olympic Oval facility.  With ALCAN Hockey Schools ten years of service in Alaska, and the state of the art facilities at the University of Alaska, as well as the assistance from the Native Studies and Rural Services Department, we have great confidence in our ability to orchestrate a top quality program.  We look to continue this success with more participants and the involvement of organizations from throughout North America for Turtle Island 2003.

Community Support:  We have discussed the impact of the NHL Ethnic Diversity Task Force endorsement of our program, and the organizations assembled to implement the program.  We are grateful to the Fairbanks Native Association for their support of the program and its objectives.  In addition, we have the full cooperation of the local media in promoting our programs at the State level.  Upon request we will submit Letters of Recommendation and Testimonials from state & city officials, local hockey associations, and Native community members.

When are the proposed Dates for the Project?
The Program dates for Summer 2003 are To Be Announced, but will be in late July - early August, when school is dismissed for the summer months.

What are the costs of the Program?
The cost of a camp including housing and meals, hockey camp, Alaskan Adventures, and merchandise package would be $875 per participant. We are happy to make all travel arrangements for our particpants, please contact us for addditonal costs for travel.

SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM:
We would invite your business or organization to be a member of the Turtle Island Hockey  Hockey Camp and Cultural Retreat Sponsorship Program.  We strive to make this program a reality, and to make this program successful we are requesting the direct involvement of the Native community.  We would like to see your business or organization join forces with our Program, to enrich the lives of our Youth.

Why should this project be funded over other projects that are similar?
• This project is unique in that it combines sport, society, and an adventure experience all in one camp. With the camp location in Alaska, this becomes a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for any youngster.  The project will have a positive influence on the Native Alaskan and American community, as we strive to have the participants become leaders in their local areas.  Through interaction with Counselors and Guest speakers, the children will improve their desire and motivation to succeed in the classroom, in sport, and society as a whole.  There are other camps that attend to the needs of Native youth, but we believe this project is unique in its setting, format, and opportunity for the children, as described here..
 

For more details and information please email us, or contact Program Director Marcel Aubin 801-619-6846 or ALCAN Director Dean Fedorchuk at 907-455-4203. We will be happy to answer any questions and send you copy of the Sponsorship Program immediately. Thank you for your time and consideration.