NEWS RELEASE
2025 Regional Recipients Announced for Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport
Traditional Territory of the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) Tribes, Duncan B.C. (March 25, 2026) – The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is pleased to announce the regional recipients of the 2025 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport.
I·SPARC, in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia, launched the regional nomination process in late 2025, receiving nominations from each of I·SPARC’s six regions (Fraser, Interior, Northeast, Northwest, Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver Island). Applications were open to Indigenous youth athletes 24 years and younger who are competing in performance sport and demonstrating a commitment to their education, culture, and promoting healthy and active lifestyles.
The awards were established in 2015 and boast a rich legacy of amazing past recipients. Many of the past recipients have gone on to receive university scholarships (U SPORTS & NCAA), become involved with Canadian National Teams at international competitions and the Olympics, and competed in professional sport leagues.
What is impressive about the 2025 regional recipients is how many different sports are being represented. There are over 20 unique sports being showcased by these athletes including rodeo, gymnastics, golf, along with traditional Indigenous sports: lacrosse and canoeing.
“Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport, who represent the very best of our province’s sport and recreation community,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “It is truly inspiring to see the dedication and excellence you all bring to your sport and community. Thank you to I·SPARC for your leadership in promoting and uplifting Indigenous participation in sport, and for all the work you do to champion young athletes.”
“Congratulations to all regional recipients of the 2025 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sports. You have all demonstrated excellence, both on and off the field of play,” said Premier David Eby. “Thank you to I·SPARC for recognizing these outstanding athletes and for increasing access to sports, recreation and physical activity in schools, First Nations communities, Métis Chartered Communities, Aboriginal Friendship Centres and elsewhere.”
“As we continue to celebrate the enduring impact of the Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport, we are proud to recognize our 2025 Regional Recipients and their remarkable accomplishments,” said Rick Brant, I·SPARC CEO. “These awards provide a powerful platform to share the extraordinary stories of Indigenous athletes from across all six regions of the province. To this year’s recipients – your achievements inspire us all. We are honoured to support your journey as athletes, role models, and leaders in your communities.”
As a way of honouring the 2025 regional recipients, I·SPARC has produced a series of commemorative videos highlighting each of the region’s athletes and celebrating their outstanding achievements. These videos will be circulated on I·SPARC’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/isparc), website, and social media channels featuring a new region over the next six days.
These regional recipients automatically serve as nominees for the Provincial Awards, which will be announced later this year.
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Fraser Region
- Olivia Pemberton, Box and Field Lacrosse, Métis Nation BC
- Jolaine Bolam, Lacrosse, Stó:lō Nation
- Benjamin Mckay, Football & Rugby, Métis Nation BC
- Preston Seneviratne, Swimming, Xwisten
- Jenson McGregor, Box and Field Lacrosse, Cree
- Norah Bucholtz, Golf, Métis Nation BC
Interior Region
- Kaiden Thorpe, Soccer, Métis Nation BC
- Lily Dekkers, Hockey, Red River Métis
- Tryan Swampy-Rivet, Hockey & Rodeo, Samson Cree Nation
- Sadie Stewart, Rodeo, Upper Nicola Band – Okanagan
- Daniel Turvey, Rugby & Wrestling, Whispering Pines/Clinton (Pellt’iq’t)
- Easton Hamilton, Lacrosse, Secwepemc/Skeetchestn
Northeast Region
- Brooklyn Munch, Softball, Saulteau First Nations
- Jivanna Bird, Ringette & Fastball, Lheidli T’enneh Band
- Magdalena Malfair, Volleyball, Basketball & Beach Volleyball, Métis Nation BC
- Jaxon Lodge, Hockey, Métis Nation BC
- Dylan Buehler, Volleyball, Bigstone Cree Nation
- Riley Solbrekken, Baseball, N’Quatqua
Northwest Region
- Grace Robinson, Dance & Gymnastics, Skidegate, Lax Kw’alaams
- Kara Tait, Basketball, Kitselas
- Scott Whitecotton, Hockey, Gitxsan Nation
- Trace Swain, Basketball & Volleyball, Skidegate
- Dominic Puglas, Soccer, Hockey, Basketball, Softball, Slow Pitch & Skiing, Haida
Vancouver Coastal Region
- Zoe Leas, Ice hockey & Field Lacrosse, Kahkewistahaw First Nation
- Braedon Lawrence, Karate & Football, Squamish First Nation
- Kwaya’tsiiq’Kwe Bluesky, Running, Sandy Lake First Nation
- Lola Hocking, Volleyball, Sweetgrass First Nation
- Cristiano Loyie-Silva, Football, Takla Nation
- Mykayla Su, Volleyball, Métis Nation BC
Vancouver Island Region
- Ayiana Gagne, Swimming, Lac Seul First Nation
- Isabella (Bella) Anderton-Teasdale, Rugby, Nakazdli Whuten
- Madison Batch, Hockey, North Island Métis Community
- Max Lefebvre, Hockey, Football, Basketball & Officiating, MIKI’SIW Métis Association
- Koah Hampton, Volleyball, Lake Babine Nation
- Gavin Reece Gohn MacDonald, Hockey, Basketball, Rugby, Golf, Rifle Shooting & Canoe, Cowichan Tribes
About the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council
The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is a provincial organization established with the purpose of improving the health outcomes of Indigenous peoples by supporting and encouraging physically active individuals, families, and communities. The programs and services delivered by I·SPARC are designed to build capacity and increase access to sport, physical activity, and recreation in First Nations communities, Métis Chartered Communities, Aboriginal Friendship Centres, schools, and other delivery agencies throughout British Columbia.
For more information, please visit: www.isparc.ca
Media Contact:
Brock Freeman
Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity, & Recreation Council (I·SPARC)
Senior Manager, Communications
250-856-0859
bfreeman@isparc.ca
