In the quiet dawn of a Saskatchewan morning, Carlin Nordstrom stands at the edge of a frozen slough, watching as a group of First Nations youth prepare for a day of hunting. For many of these young people, this is their first time on the land, their first opportunity to connect with traditions that were stolen from their families generations ago. For Nordstrom, it's just another day at the office.
The former Ottawa Senators draft pick has traded his hockey skates for work boots, but his mission remains the same: to inspire, to lead, and to empower the next generation. Today, as a [motivational coach for First Nations youth] across Canada, Carlin Nordstrom is reaching more young people than he ever could on the ice.
Born and raised in Saskatoon, Carlin Nordstrom's story begins in Poundmaker Cree Nation, a community that would later become the heart of his life's work. His talent on the ice was undeniable. He played major junior hockey with the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Lethbridge Hurricanes before being drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 2002.
But the path wasn't easy. As one of the few First Nations players in the league, Nordstrom faced discrimination and isolation. These experiences shaped his understanding of what young Indigenous people need to succeed: resilience, cultural pride, and someone who believes in them.
After his professional hockey career ended, Nordstrom returned to Saskatchewan with a new purpose. He founded Kisik Sports, Health and Wellness and began working as an [Indigenous motivational coach] , bringing his message of hope and hard work to schools and communities across the province.
Today, he is recognized as a leading [Indigenous role model for schools] , delivering powerful presentations that address the real challenges facing Indigenous youth while celebrating their strengths and potential.
The statistics are alarming. Indigenous youth in Canada face disproportionately high rates of suicide, obesity, diabetes, and disconnection from their cultural roots. In many communities, young people have never hunted, never fished, never learned the traditional ways of their ancestors.
"I started this work after watching the news and learning of the suicide epidemic sweeping across First Nations in Canada," Nordstrom explains. "I knew I had a skill set that could help, and I knew I had to do something."
The need for [First Nations wellness programs] has never been more urgent. With childhood obesity rates soaring and mental health crises affecting communities nationwide, Nordstrom recognized that traditional classroom approaches weren't enough. Young people needed to move, to experience, and to connect.
Enter the Oskayak Minowin Project, a land-based healing initiative founded by Nordstrom and funded through Jordan's Principle. The program takes students from Poundmaker First Nation on multi-day hunting and fishing expeditions, teaching them traditional skills while addressing mental and physical health.
What makes these [hunting camps for Indigenous youth] so effective is their holistic approach. Participants don't just learn to track and harvest animals; they learn about treaty rights, nutrition, and their cultural heritage. Elders accompany the trips, teaching traditional methods of hide tanning and meat preparation.
The impact is immediate and profound. For 15-year-old Carson Albert-Checkosis, a hunting trip with Nordstrom became a transformative experience. After successfully harvesting a moose, he reflected on the complex emotions involved:
"I was kinda happy, but kind of sad — a little bit — for taking out a life that could probably have lived for so many more years... But it's meat now."
That meat feeds the community. It goes to school lunch programs, elders in need, and families struggling with food insecurity. Through these [fishing camps for First Nations kids] and hunting expeditions, young people learn that they have something valuable to contribute.
The results speak for themselves. Nordstrom estimates that approximately 90 per cent of participants in his programs are completely new to fishing and hunting. For the vast majority of these youth, this is their first meaningful connection to traditional practices.
Schools report that students who attend these camps return with improved attendance, better attitudes, and a renewed sense of purpose. Teachers notice the difference. Parents notice the difference. Most importantly, the youth notice the difference in themselves.
These [youth leadership programs Canada] -wide are demonstrating what Indigenous communities have always known: that connection to land and culture is essential to wellness.
Beyond the hunting and fishing camps, Nordstrom spends countless hours in classrooms across Saskatchewan and Alberta. As a [motivational speaker for youth] , he addresses issues that directly impact students' lives: bullying, racism, goal-setting, and healthy living.
One of his most powerful tools is a simple sugar demonstration. He brings in bottles of pop and shows students exactly how much sugar they're consuming. For many, it's a wake-up call. Schools have removed pop machines after his visits. Students have changed their eating habits. Families have started having conversations about nutrition.
These [Indigenous student workshops] are designed to be interactive and engaging. Nordstrom doesn't just lecture; he connects. He shares his own struggles and triumphs, making himself vulnerable so that students feel safe to open up.
"I want them to see that someone who looks like them, who comes from the same communities they come from, can achieve great things," he says. "But more importantly, I want them to see that they can achieve great things too."
The ultimate goal of Nordstrom's work is to create leaders. Through [cultural leadership programs Canada] -wide, he's helping young Indigenous people discover their own potential and develop the skills they need to guide their communities.
His leadership framework focuses on six key principles:
Goal-setting – Teaching youth to envision and pursue their dreams
Positive attitude – Showing how mindset determines outcomes
Persistence – Encouraging youth to never give up, even when faced with discrimination
Cultural pride – Helping young people understand and celebrate their heritage
Health and wellness – Promoting physical activity and good nutrition
Service to community – Demonstrating that true leadership means giving back
These [First Nations school programs] are creating a ripple effect. Youth who attend camps and workshops often become mentors themselves, bringing what they've learned back to their friends and families.
The impact of Nordstrom's work hasn't gone unnoticed. The University of Saskatchewan has partnered with Kisik Sports, Health and Wellness to research the benefits of outdoor education for Indigenous youth. Early findings confirm what participants already know: time on the land improves mental health, builds resilience, and strengthens cultural identity.
This research is critical for securing continued funding and expanding programs to more communities. With support from Jordan's Principle and other funding sources, Nordstrom hopes to reach even more First Nations youth in the coming years.
A typical day for Carlin Nordstrom might start before dawn, driving youth to a hunting location. It might involve teaching a classroom full of students about the dangers of energy drinks. It might mean sitting with elders, learning traditional knowledge to pass on to the next generation. It might mean phone calls with funders, planning for the next camp, or driving hours to reach a remote community.
There's no typical day, and that's exactly how he likes it.
"Driving down today, thinking about how happy these kids are to be out here and how excited they were, for me to be able to do something that I love and teach these kids these skills and see all the positive results, I'm pretty happy," he says.
Looking ahead, Nordstrom envisions a future where every First Nations youth in Canada has access to land-based learning, cultural connection, and positive mentorship. He sees communities coming together to support their young people, reclaiming traditions that were suppressed for generations.
He sees youth who know their history, who are proud of their identity, and who have the skills and confidence to build better lives for themselves and their families.
"The work is just beginning," he says. "There are so many communities that need these programs, so many young people who are waiting for someone to show up and believe in them. I want to be that person. I want to build a network of people who can be that person."
Carlin Nordstrom's work is making a tangible difference in the lives of First Nations youth across Canada. Schools interested in booking a presentation, communities seeking to develop [outdoor education programs for youth] , and individuals wanting to support this vital work can reach out through his website.
With decades of experience as a professional athlete and community leader, Carlin Nordstrom brings a unique combination of credibility, compassion, and cultural understanding to everything he does. Whether he's speaking to a packed school gymnasium or guiding a nervous teen through their first fishing experience, his message is consistent: you matter, you belong, and you have what it takes.
In the end, Carlin Nordstrom's legacy won't be measured in goals scored or games won. It will be measured in the young people who discover their own strength through his [Indigenous youth mentorship] programs. It will be measured in the communities that reclaim their traditions. It will be measured in the lives saved and the futures transformed.
As the sun sets over another successful hunting camp, as another group of tired but proud youth heads home with stories to tell and skills to share, Nordstrom allows himself a moment of satisfaction. But only a moment. Tomorrow, there's more work to do. More youth to reach. More lives to change.
For Carlin Nordstrom, [First Nations youth mentor] , [health and wellness] advocate, and [Indigenous role model] , the mission continues.
Carlin Nordstrom is a [motivational coach] and role model inspiring First Nations youth across Canada. He promotes health, wellness, leadership, and cultural connection through hunting, fishing camps, and school programs. Based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, he works with schools and communities nationwide to deliver powerful presentations and transformative land-based learning experiences.
For bookings and inquiries:
Address: 10 Webb Cres, Saskatoon, SK, S7H 3L4, Canada
Phone: (306) 716-5761
Email: carlinnordstrom@gmail.com
Website: https://www.carlinnordstrom.com