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K'ATLODEECHE/HAY RIVER RESERVE - An initiative is underway to create an archery club on the Hay River Reserve.

The effort is a joint venture by Chief Sunrise Education Centre and K'atlodeeche First Nation.

From left, Royann Bugghins, Rose Salopree and teacher Liz Pope, who is being coached by Larry Kelly, an archery instructor from Edmonton, practise at an archery session in Hay River Reserve. - hoto courtesy of the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the Western Arctic

"We have awesome raw talent here," said Liz Pope, a teacher at the school. "There's a lot of potential."

The Aboriginal Sports Circle of the Western Arctic has already presented an archery workshop on the reserve.

The workshop, which was held on Jan. 26 and 27, brought in Larry Kelly, an archery instructor from Edmonton.

About 20 people, mostly from the reserve and a few from Hay River, participated in workshop.

"It was for anybody who wanted to come, but it was predominantly school students," Pope said.

Students at the reserve school enjoyed the experience.

"It was fun," said Grade 11 student James Sabourin, who noted it was his first time trying archery. "It was the best."

Leona Fabian, a Grade 9 student, also shared in the enthusiasm.

"It was interesting and I'm willing to try it again," she said.

While the club will be to all community members on the Hay River Reserve, the main focus will be on students, Pope said.

She explained the idea behind forming an archery club is that, since the reserve has a low population, it would be more appropriate to promote individual sports rather than team sports.

"That's the essence," she said.

K'atlodeeche First Nation has already purchased some bow and arrow sets to get the club started, and the school is seeking funding to buy more.

A new club will be based in the gym of Chief Sunrise Education Centre, where targets, a safety net and other equipment will be set up.

The club will be coached by Pope and Andy McKay.

The workshop on the Hay River Reserve was part of a larger effort by the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the Western Arctic to reintroduce archery in communities.

The next workshops will be in Sachs Harbour and Fort Good Hope, and a coaching seminar is planned for March.