BACKGROUND
A program for Community Transformation through Media Arts and Recreation
In Northern Ontario’s unorganized areas, providing recreation services presents numerous challenges due to a variety of systemic issues. One of the primary obstacles is limited funding. Local Services Boards (LSBs), which are responsible for delivering essential services in these communities, operate with restricted budgets. They have limited taxation powers and rely heavily on provincial grants, which often do not suffice to meet the recreational needs of the population. The process of applying for grants is competitive and time-consuming, leaving many communities underfunded. This results in inequitable access to recreational resources, with smaller or remote communities frequently receiving less funding than larger ones.
Administrative constraints further complicate the delivery of recreation services. Many LSBs depend on volunteers to manage and operate recreational programs, leading to capacity issues and volunteer burnout. The procedural requirements outlined in the Northern Services Boards Act (NSBA) impose bureaucratic hurdles that are burdensome for smaller boards, especially those with limited administrative support. Expanding services to include recreation requires formal approvals, which can delay implementation and add to the administrative burden.
There is also a lack of long-term planning within many LSBs. Operating on a year-to-year basis hinders the ability to invest in long-term recreational infrastructure. Existing facilities often fall into disrepair due to insufficient capital investment and maintenance budgets. Additionally, the absence of regional coordination among neighboring LSBs leads to duplication of services or gaps where certain communities are underserved, further diminishing the effectiveness of recreational program delivery.
Accessibility challenges are another significant issue. The geographic barriers inherent in remote and spread-out populations make centralized recreational services difficult to access for many residents. Without organized public transportation, individuals without personal vehicles face substantial challenges in reaching recreational facilities. This lack of accessibility limits participation and reduces the potential benefits that such programs could provide to the community.
Furthermore, recreation is not widely recognized as a core service within these communities. Essential services like water, fire protection, and waste management often take precedence, and the NSBA does not explicitly mandate recreation as a fundamental service. As a result, recreation is frequently overlooked unless there is strong local demand or advocacy pushing for its inclusion in LSB mandates. This lack of recognition hampers the development and support of recreational programs that could significantly enhance community well-being.
Issues of equity and inclusion also persist. There is often insufficient collaboration with neighbouring communities, leading to a lack of coordinated regional resources for arts and recreational programming. Programs for marginalized groups, such as youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, are underdeveloped due to a lack of specialized funding or expertise. This lack of inclusion exacerbates social disparities and prevents these groups from accessing the benefits that recreational activities can provide.
Statistical evidence from the arts sector highlights similar challenges and underscores the systemic nature of these issues. Underfunding in the Far North Region, including areas like Kenora-Kiiwetinoong, demonstrates significant disparities in resource allocation. The arts funding in these regions is considerably lower than in other areas, indicating a broader pattern of underinvestment. These disparities in the arts sector suggest that similar systemic challenges affect recreation services, impacting the growth and sustainability of programs in remote communities.
Building Capacity for Community
Administrative constraints further complicate the delivery of recreation services. Many LSBs depend on volunteers to manage and operate recreational programs, leading to capacity issues and volunteer burnout. The procedural requirements outlined in the Northern Services Boards Act (NSBA) impose bureaucratic hurdles that are burdensome for smaller boards, especially those with limited administrative support. Expanding services to include recreation requires formal approvals, which can delay implementation and add to the administrative burden.
There is also a lack of long-term planning within many LSBs. Operating on a year-to-year basis hinders the ability to invest in long-term recreational infrastructure. Existing facilities often fall into disrepair due to insufficient capital investment and maintenance budgets. Additionally, the absence of regional coordination among neighboring LSBs leads to duplication of services or gaps where certain communities are underserved, further diminishing the effectiveness of recreational program delivery.
Accessibility challenges are another significant issue. The geographic barriers inherent in remote and spread-out populations make centralized recreational services difficult to access for many residents. Without organized public transportation, individuals without personal vehicles face substantial challenges in reaching recreational facilities. This lack of accessibility limits participation and reduces the potential benefits that such programs could provide to the community.
Using Winnipeg, Manitoba as a hub, our programs have grown since we established our small, but vibrant arts collective in the winter of 2021-2022. Each year carries a special core theme.
Building on the highly-successful Our People Our Climate, our group supported a Manitoba iteration of the program based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. From learning about the impacts of climate change, to developing a creative mindset and building skills and knowledge for climate entrepreneurship as an arts collective.
Building on the highly-successful Our People Our Climate, our group supported a Manitoba iteration of the program based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. From learning about the impacts of climate change, to developing a creative mindset and building skills and knowledge for climate entrepreneurship as an arts collective.
Carving Our Climate Testimony in Manitoba (2022-2023)
Building on the highly-successful Our People Our Climate, our group supported a Manitoba iteration of the program based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. From learning about the impacts of climate change, to developing a creative mindset and building skills and knowledge for climate entrepreneurship as an arts collective.
Building on the highly-successful Our People Our Climate, our group supported a Manitoba iteration of the program based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. From learning about the impacts of climate change, to developing a creative mindset and building skills and knowledge for climate entrepreneurship as an arts collective.
Our first project, established with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Greenhouse was to design, pilot and test an incubator for digital arts and cultural entrepreneurship.