Seven boys will be reward with a three-day canoe trip on the Churchill River. (Submitted photo/Christopher Merasty)

By Derek Cornet

community outreach

Men of the North defeat 50-Yard Challenge

Aug 5, 2022 | 3:44 PM

Men of the North has successfully completed the 50-Yard Challenge.

The challenge began July 2 and it involved men and teens coming together to clean the yards of Elders, single parents, or families with disabilities in the tri-communities.

Through a partnership with Possibilities Recovery Centre, the participants were able to complete 40 yards in Air Ronge, La Ronge and on-reserve, as well as an additional 11 in the Saskatoon area.

“I want to say thank you to everyone involved during the five weeks over the summer,” said Men of the North founder, Christopher Merasty. “We saw firsthand the amount of commitment and resilience showed from the young men who were involved. When we would go knock on their door in the morning, they would still be in bed, but within five minutes, they would be running out to the truck.”

In the tri-communities, seven boys finished the project and will now partake in a three-day, two-night canoe trip between Missinipe and Stanley Mission. They will be chaperoned by two guides and several mentors who will teach them skills in canoeing, survival, fishing and camping. Mental health workshops will also be part of the trip.

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The 50-Yard Challenge was supported by a number of local organizations, businesses and individuals. Earlier this week, Merasty accepted a $5,000 grant from Conexus Credit Union.

“This would not have been possible without our funders with in-kind support and donations,” he said.

Merasty also wanted to thank the mentors who assisted the participants in completing this year’s challenge.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno