Six Indigenous youth on Vancouver Island honoured for sport excellence

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Young Indigenous athletes on Vancouver Island were honoured in April for their outstanding achievements in sports.

The Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sports are given each year to youth under 25 years-old in six regions of B.C. who compete in a sport and demonstrate commitment to their practice and community.

The awards are given in collaboration with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (ISPARC) and the B.C. government through a regional nomination process.

The ISPARC announced the six youth recipients in the Vancouver Island region that range in their sport and extra-curricular involvement.

Ellashani George, 16, War Canoe and Soccer, Duncan, Oneida Nation of the Thames and Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw.

Kristine Williams, 19, Volleyball and Basketball, Duncan, Cowichan Tribes.

Tristan Thomas, 15, Soccer, Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Willem Whitehead, 15, Lacrosse, Hockey, Big Canoe and Basketball, Qualicum, We Wai Kai Nation.

Jakob Brager, 18, Swimming, Nanaimo, Mid-Island Métis Nation.

Megan McCool, from the Métis Nation BC is a multiple provincial gold medal award winner for Smallbore Rifle competition.

The youth were congratulated through an online ceremony. Due to the pandemic restrictions, the award celebrations could not be held in person this year. A series of commemorative videos highlighting each of the region’s Indigenous athletes and celebrating their outstanding achievements were produced through ISPARC.

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