Remote learning matters is critical and deserves support By Sam Fleshman, Connected North Yukon Content Provider

When I think about the work I do with students, I feel how important it is.

Through Connected North, I work with K-12 students in remote communities and teach virtual beading and mini moccasin workshops. We’re often hundreds of kilometres apart.

Despite the vast distance, there is connection, confidence, and culture being built on the ground and through the screen during each session. It's something a lot of kids don’t get enough of, especially in hard-to-reach communities.

At the beginning of the lesson, there’s always a bit of hesitation.

Students are quiet. Unsure. Sometimes a little disconnected from what’s happening on the screen.

They’ll say things like, “I’m not good at this” or “I can’t do it.”

And then, slowly, something shifts. Even through a screen, you can feel it.

They start to focus and get into a rhythm. They ask questions. They start helping each other, sometimes across tables, and sometimes across communities. They laugh. They lean in.

By the end, they’re proud - not just of what they made, but of themselves.

That shift matters, and the program matters too.

What makes programs like Connected North so powerful is that they bridge distance in a real way. They bring opportunities into communities where access can be limited, not just to materials or instruction, but to mentorship, cultural knowledge, and creative experiences.

It’s not just about delivering a lesson online. It’s about creating a space, even virtually, where students feel seen, capable, and connected.

For me, this work is also deeply tied to identity.

Beading and moccasin making aren’t just crafts - they carry history, knowledge, and culture. Being able to share that through a screen and still see students connect to it in a meaningful way, is something that never stops feeling amazing to me.

As an entrepreneur, I also see how this kind of access matters beyond the classroom.

Students are learning not just how to create, but how to value their work, time, and skills. Even in a virtual setting, those lessons stick. That confidence can grow into something bigger,whether that’s pursuing creative work, building a business, or simply believing in their own potential.

You can feel that spark, even through a screen.

You see it when a student who didn’t think they could do it finishes their piece.
You see it when they start helping someone beside them.
You see it when they don’t want the session to end, even though they’re logging off.

That’s an impact you can’t measure on paper.

When programs like Connected North are at risk, it’s not just programming that’s being cut - it’s access to that vital connection. It’s the ability for students in remote communities to be part of something bigger, without having to leave where they are.

And that matters.

From where I stand, working both on the ground and across the screen, I can say this clearly:

These programs are needed.
They are working.
And they are making a difference.

They are worth the investment.