Cenovus Energy supporting Indigenous youth through Spirit North's new Youth Leadership Program

CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 02, 2023 -- Spirit North is pleased to announce a three-year, $750,000 partnership with Cenovus Energy to launch a new Youth Leadership Program for Indigenous youth.

Across Spirit North’s sport and activity programs, there are incredible youth becoming natural leaders in their schools and communities. Inspired by a vision of supporting these youth to reach their full potential, Spirit North has developed a Youth Leadership Program.

“We’re impressed with the leadership and mentorship opportunities Spirit North provides to Indigenous youth, unlocking the transformative power of sport and play,” said Rhona DelFrari, Chief Sustainability Officer & Senior Vice-President, Stakeholder Engagement at Cenovus. “The Youth Leadership Program aligns with our focus on Indigenous reconciliation and commitment to supporting Indigenous people near our operations and more broadly.”

With Cenovus’s support, all Spirit North programs will now provide participating youth with opportunities for leadership skill development while also providing a pathway to employment for those youth leaders and future Spirit North leaders.

The Youth Leadership program offers progressive supportive skill development with a focus on building confidence, deepening relationships, and increasing community participation. Mentorship and sport specific training and certification are provided to equip young leaders with the skills and training required to lead programs and transition them to meaningful employment.

Throughout the program, Indigenous youth will have opportunities to:

• Build confidence and competence through multi-sport skill development such as skiing, mountain biking, and paddling.
• Create leadership skills in team building, goal setting, and supporting others.
• Build culturally-specific relationships with local Indigenous leaders and role models and incorporate and celebrate local culture.
• Connect with community leadership and future employment gaining work experience and references, volunteer hours for graduation, and general leadership training applicable to any workplace.

Cenovus has been part of the journey with Spirit North since 2019, supporting the company’s vision of creating opportunities for Indigenous children and youth through sport and play.

Spirit North is a national charitable organization that uses land-based activities to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous youth, empowering them to become unstoppable in sport, school and life. Through these connections, children learn, grow, thrive and eventually contribute to the health, strength and vibrancy of their communities.

Working in partnership with schools and communities, Spirit North delivered programs to over 5,400 Indigenous youth in 61 communities and 77 schools, across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the Northwest Territories – and we’re just getting started.

Cenovus Energy Inc.
Cenovus Energy Inc. is an integrated energy company with oil and natural gas production operations in Canada and the Asia Pacific region, and upgrading, refining and marketing operations in Canada and the United States. The company is focused on managing its assets in a safe, innovative and cost-efficient manner, integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into its business plans. Cenovus common shares and warrants are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges, and the company’s preferred shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, visit cenovus.com.

Contact information:
Spirit North:
Meredith Bratland
Meredith.Bratland@spiritnorthxc.ca
403-675-1211

Cenovus contacts: