Help newcomers in an upcoming winter visibility campaign
Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC) and Seekers Media are proud to announce their partnership on a new visibility initiative that will be welcoming newcomers to Alberta and connecting them with winter sports.
The new initiative, entitled #NewSkiAb, showcases people of diverse backgrounds talking about their first experiences with traditional Canadian activities like skiing and snowshoeing. In addition, some lucky individuals and their families will have the opportunity to receive free lessons and trips to winter activities around Alberta to help introduce them to their new home in the province. It is hoped that this initiative can help newcomers with increasing their sense of belonging and building of their Canadian identity.
“Diversity to our slopes is important” says Doc Pow (aka Jim Barr), founder of SnowSeekers.ca, a legacy company of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games. “Being a ski writer for 15 years, I’ve watched people literally come to life learning to ski or snowboard, people connecting with Alberta culture, meeting new friends, building confidence in themselves while being in some of the worlds’ best winter locations!”
#NewSkiAb is not only for new immigrants, but people who have previously arrived in Canada and have never experienced the wealth of winter activities available around the province. The initiative will include an information campaign about how to stay warm, snow conditions at different sites, partner events at WinSport, and destination activities found at Nakiska Ski Resort and Lake Louise Ski Resort.
“Experiencing time in the mountains especially with family can be an exceptionally rewarding experience but is often seen to have significant barriers based on either cost, familiarity, or skill set” added Dan Markham, Director of Brand & Communications for Lake Louise Ski Resort. “We hope to convey that time in the mountains in the winter time can be affordable, fun, and 'no skills necessary'”.
Links to newcomer stories from #NewSkiAb can be found on www.immigrantservicescalgary.ca and https://www.snowseekers.ca/expedition/new-ski-ab. Supporters of the initiative are encouraged to use the hashtag #NewSkiAb to celebrate their immigrant story and journeys as they engage in winter adventures.
Write With Us
To accomplish this, we're looking for a content writer who can help newcomers tell their stories. We're seeking a writer before December 5th, 2019 who will follow newcomers and their families as they experience winter sports in Alberta for the first time, and to help them tell their stories about their journey to Canada.
What we're looking for
We're looking for a writer who can:
- Ski or snowboard (or is keen to learn ) as this will be an assignment through this winter which will include visits to the ski resorts of the Rockies in Banff.
- Can write a 600-word story about a subject’s experience learning the sport of skiing or winter adventure.
Publication
These stories wil be posted on Immigrant Services Calgary’s website and will be shared through community partners and social media channels.
Compensation
This is a per assignment “gig" with approximately six assignments through the winter season. Seekers Media will pay $300 per assignment which may include a higher rate for professional-level photography. Seekers Media will compensate lift tickets and rentals if required, provide a $50/day food allowance, and the opportunity to work with Seekers Media and take part in their growing media brand (a perfect opportunity for individuals looking for Canadian experience).
Sample articles for the style that we're looking for can be found here and here.
Applying
The deadline to apply is December 5th.
Email jim@seekers-media.com to apply (or ask questions). A sample of your writing work must be included, and applicants must be based in Calgary.