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I·SPARC’s Corinne McKay, Alex Nelson, and Rick Brant Honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medal
Traditional Territory of the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) Tribes, Duncan B.C. (April 20, 2026) – Three distinguished leaders of the Indigenous sport movement in British Columbia—Corinne McKay, Alex Nelson, and Rick Brant have been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. This prestigious honour recognizes their decades of unwavering service, leadership, and transformative contributions to Indigenous communities, physical activity, and provincial reconciliation through the power of sport.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal is a commemorative award created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. It is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada, their province, or their community. All three recipients have been instrumental in the growth of the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC), an organization that has become a model for Indigenous-led sport governance.
Honouring a Legacy of Leadership
Corinne McKay: As the President of the I·SPARC Board of Directors and a proud member of the Nisga’a Nation, Corinne has been a steadfast advocate for Indigenous youth. Her leadership has ensured that sport remains a vital pathway for health, education, and cultural connection across British Columbia’s six regions.
Alex Nelson: A member of the Musgamagw-Dzawada’enuxw tribal council and a survivor of the St. Michael’s residential school, Alex is a co-founder of I·SPARC (formerly the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Association of BC). A passionate soccer player, Alex has dedicated his life to using sport as a vehicle for healing and bringing Indigenous people together. He has been inducted into several hall of fames and is a member of the Canada’s Order of Sport.
Rick Brant: The Chief Executive Officer of I·SPARC and a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Rick has been a driving force behind the most significant Indigenous sport initiatives in North America. From serving as CEO of multiple North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) to spearheading BC’s “Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Strategy,” Rick’s visionary administration has built lasting infrastructure for Indigenous athletes.
Pictured: Corinne McKay and Rick Brant, 2026 / Alex Nelson, 2024
A Testament to Community Impact
The nominations were supported by the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC), Canada’s national voice for Indigenous sport. In a letter to the recipients, ASC leadership noted:
“Your efforts have not only fostered pride and well-being across the Indigenous community, but they have also helped shape a more inclusive and equitable sport system—one that honours Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing.”
The awarding of these medals underscores the vital role that sport plays in the journey of reconciliation. By empowering youth and preserving cultural identities through traditional practices and modern athletics, McKay, Nelson, and Brant have left a lasting impact that continues to inspire the next generation of Indigenous leaders.
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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
