2019 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport, Vancouver Island Regional Recipients and Receiving Line. (L-R): Jada Livingston, Tara Brant (for Ty Brant), Nicola Smith, Aedan Crocker, Emoni Bush, Ty Ludwikowski (Standing L-R): Alex Nelson, Elder & Sr. Advisor, I·SPARC, Calvin Swustus Sr., Cowichan Tribes Councillor, Michael Dumont, Minister of Sport, Métis Nation BC, Debbie Williams, Executive Director, Hiiye’yu Lelum (House of Friendship), Bruce Dumont, Cowichan Valley Métis Nation, Richard Lewis, President, Cowichan Valley Métis Nation, Mayor Michelle Staples, City of Duncan, Alan Edkins, Senator, Métis Nation BC, Rick Brant, Executive Director, I·SPARC.
Vancouver Island honours recipients of the Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport
Six Outstanding Indigenous Athletes Receive Prestigious Award
Duncan, BC (November 27, 2019) – The 2019 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport were presented last night to six outstanding Indigenous youth athletes from British Columbia’s Vancouver Island Region. The Regional Awards were presented during a formal celebration held at the Quw’utsun’ Cultural & Conference Centre in Duncan, BC. The Vancouver Island is the sixth and final of the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council’s (I·SPARC) six regions to honour Indigenous athletes through this unique province-wide awards program.
I·SPARC, in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia, launched the regional nomination process in August 2019, receiving close to 130 nominations from across the province for Indigenous athletes under 25 years of age who are competing in performance sport and committed to living healthy, active lifestyles.
A total of 36 recipients were chosen within I·SPARC’s six regions – Fraser, Interior, Northeast, Northwest, Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver Island.
The 2019 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport – Vancouver Island Regional Recipients
- Jada Livingston, 17, Hockey, Rugby, Métis Nation BC (Ladysmith)
- Ty Ludwikowski, 15, Basketball, Soccer, Wei Wai Kum First Nation (Campbell River)
- Emoni Bush, 16, Volleyball, Wei Wai Kum First Nation (Campbell River)
- Aedan Crocker, 16, Road & Track Cycling, Penelakut Tribe (Victoria)
- Nicola Smith, 19, Rugby, Peguis First Nation (Victoria)
- Ty Brant, 18, Hockey, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (Victoria)
“Congratulations to each of the 36 talented athletes selected as regional award recipients this year,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “Your extraordinary achievements in sport and school and as community leaders are an inspiration to everyone in B.C. I wish you the very best as you continue to strive for greatness in athletics and beyond.”
“This unique awards program is a great way to show the incredible talent and what these young athletes have accomplished,” said Mildred Price, Vancouver Island Regional Co-Lead for I·SPARC. “We are happy to honour their successes in sport and school and within their communities.”
“For me, receiving this award is a real testament to what can result from hard work,” said Ty Brant, Vancouver Island Recipient. “One thing I’ve learned from sport is that hard work will get you where you want. Whether it’s playing sports or becoming successful in life, it all starts with strong work ethic.”
These Regional recipients automatically serve as nominees for the Provincial Awards selected in early 2020. 10 Provincial Recipients will be awarded at the Gathering Our Voices Opening Ceremony in Kamloops on March 16, 2020 and go on display at the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Throughout October and November, all six regions hosted formal celebrations to honour their 2019 Regional Premier’s Awards recipients.
About the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council
I·SPARC is a consortium of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, the First Nations Health Authority, and Métis Nation BC. As the stewards of BC’s Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Strategy, I·SPARC works with First Nations, Métis Chartered Communities, Friendship Centres, schools and other sport and physical activity stakeholders to deliver community-based programs designed to promote active lifestyles and support the desire for transformative change in the health and well-being of Indigenous communities, families and individuals across B.C. For more information, please visit: www.isparc.ca.
Media Contact
Felicia Greekas
Manager, Premier’s Awards and Communications
250.940.4909
fgreekas@isparc.ca
