Grandmaster Stephen Prince has been putting on mixed martial arts classes in the area for a year and a half.

His program Prince Ogitchita Martial Arts Systems started as video lessons to give people something to do during the pandemic, but now they have transitioned to in-person classes. Despite changing the format recently, one thing that has remained, all of Prince's courses are free. The program has been funded completely by Dakota Ojibway Child & Family Services.

"We were approached when COVID started, as a lot of people weren't allowed to participate in any sports, by Dakota Ojibway Child & Family Services to put on online lessons," Prince explains. "We continued into September, and even though COVID was still around, we were able to start having in-house lessons. We're still carrying this forward to today."

Prince's program is one of the last that will be continuing to run for free with funding from the DOCFS, however, they put on a number of free virtual activities during the pandemic.

The grandmaster says he was originally doing this on his own just to help the youth in the area, but after DOCFS caught wind of what he was doing, they partnered up to make it available to anyone and everyone.

The third-generation martial artist says it's so nice to now be able to interact with his students face-to-face.

"This is something that I've been missing for such a long time," says Prince. "Seeing how the students blossom, seeing how their self-esteem is boosting, and seeing them start to open up is amazing. Martial Arts is not just about learning how to kick and punch, it's motivation. It's how to strengthen the mind, body, and spirit. So, when I see my students expanding in that, it warms my heart."

Prince says anyone can join by coming in a few minutes before any of their classes and talking with their staff. He adds their in-person lessons take place on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Keeshkeemaquah Gaming Centre. For information on the types of classes and times, click here.