I had heard that a friend of my son’s from school days in Telkwa had moved back to Smithers and I wanted to know why so I called him up for a story.
Graham MacLean was born in Smithers to Bruce and Ann Maclean of the Tyhee Lake area at the time. He has two brothers, Sandy, the present wildfire boss and David, living down Vancouver way.
Graham had always been an ambitious kid and got connected with Gary Murdoch in the Cross Country racing world back in the day. He took inspiration from the likes of Carl Lutz, Robin Clark and even his brother Sandy, some of the racing club’s successful performers.
Little did he know at the time ski racing would lead him into his work world and beyond. The team competed locally, provincially and nationally.
After high school, Graham decided to settle in Canmore Alberta.
“I started with the work at the High Altitude Training Centre on Haig Glacier just outside of town,” said Graham. “After that I got working with the national team and was able to take my skills to the team and help athletes improve their technical programs. It was there I got to know Becky Scott.”
Becky became one of Canada’s most decorated cross-country skiers attaining gold and silver Olympic Medals. Her success culminated in renaming the High Altitude Training Centre in her honour.
The Canmore area was also well suited for Graham to develop his own skills in the adventure sport world of rock and ice climbing.
The economic development in Canmore became very successful creating a Whistler-style village that did not completely suit Graham and he decided to settle in Golden B.C. This community would work for him, a bit more laid back with all the outdoor amenities needed to fit his lifestyle. Golden is central to the major ski areas and travel for his profession would be similar to Canmore but with a little better financial arrangement.
Meanwhile, Becky Scott retired from professional racing and decided it was time to give back. She became the founder and CEO of the charitable organization Spirit North. On the organization’s website Becky stated how fortunate she had been to have sport to connect her to community and realized not all youth in Canada had the same opportunities.
Spirit North is about connecting Indigenous youth to sport, to play, and to the land. The principle belief is that sport can change lives, transform communities, and inspire individuals.
This message resonated with Graham and he decided he could become a part of this goal. Spirit North has grown significantly throughout western Canada and the Northwest Territories working with more than 170 schools and inspiring more than 10,000 youth.
They even have positions in Witset and Kispiox. This looked like it could be an opportunity for Graham to return to Smithers. He wanted to raise his son Arlo, in our northern community, be closer to his family and still be involved in skiing.
“This connection to Spirit North is something I’ve thought about over the years and always felt I would like to work with Indigenous youth,” he said. “We are teaching cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter with biking in the summer. We also have archery and may try some baseball.
“Witset folks like their baseball. I had a good upbringing and was fortunate to be connected with sport. I am happy to try and give back.”
Spirit North held a Festival up at the Smithers Nordic Centre March 1 bringing together students from Burns lake to Kispiox. It was a fun day for all.
Spirit North is looking for people who want to join their team, please check their website for more information.