The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council (MASRC) recognizes Aboriginal athletes for their personal commitment to development and achievement in sport. Each year, one Aboriginal male and one Aboriginal female athlete are selected to receive the Manitoba Aboriginal Athlete Awards. They are selected from nominations detailing: their positive role in sports and the community; their personal commitment to athletic development and achievements in sport; and their concern for holistic development. Recieing 3 of the 6 awards that were presented are individuals from basketball - Skyler Boulanger, Jackie Anderson & Kelly Chinchilla...Over the years, athletes from many different sports, including: Archery, Football, Softball, Athletics, Boxing, Basketball, Hockey and Golf, have been selected to receive this high honour.
This year the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council is pleased to announce the winners of the 2012 MANITOBA ABORIGINAL ATHLETE of the YEAR AWARDS:
Aboriginal Athlete Award - Male - Logan Thacker - Ochre River
Logan is a dedicated Multi-Sport athlete, but was nominated for the sport of Football. In 2012 he excelled in football with the Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School (DRCSS) Clippers and was the team Captain. Logan helped the DRCSS Clippers win the 2012 WHSFL title and he was also a member of the provincial Team Manitoba. Along the way he also won the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year and the Norris Aitken Leadership Award for his football prowess. He also played on the Varsity Basketball and Volleyball teams. Logan’s teachers and coaches have described him as “a player with an unmatched work ethic and determination - and a very positive influence and Role Model to the younger players - an absolute pleasure to be around!”
Aboriginal Athlete Award - Female - Skyler Boulanger - Winnipeg
In 2012, Skyler, a grade eleven (11) student played Basketball for the U of W Collegiate Wesmen. She led her team to an undefeated season culminating with the AAA Provincial Championship. She received numerous awards throughout the year including, Tournament all-stars and MVP’s, Provincial High School Athlete of the Week and at the end of the year, the prestigious AAA Female Player of the Year award. Over the summer participated in 3 International tournaments with the U of M Bison’s Women’s team and throughout the year volunteers as a Mentor and Instructor with the Anishinabe Pride Basketball Program. Skyler embraces her culture and strives to respect the seven sacred teachings on a daily basis.
The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council (MASRC) recognizes excellence by Aboriginal Volunteers for their personal commitment to development and dedication to sport.
Each year, one Aboriginal male and one Aboriginal female volunteer will be selected to receive the Manitoba Aboriginal Volunteer Award. They will be selected from nominations detailing: the activity the volunteer undertook, their impact on an individual person or group receiving help, perseverance in facing challenges or obstacles, and a summary indicating why they should receive the award.
This year the awards will go to individuals who have volunteered in their communities for many years and were extremely busy in 2012.
The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012 MANITOBA ABORIGINAL VOLUNTEER of the YEAR AWARDS:
Aboriginal Volunteer Award - Female - Jackie Anderson
In 2006 Jackie started the Anishinabe PRIDE basketball program in response to an identified need in our Aboriginal community. The program has grown from 1 team in 2006 to 7 teams in 2012, one of which now plays in the Rising Stars League. Jackie along with several graduating players held development camps for youth every Saturday from January to June 2012 for an average of 60 youth each week. Jackie is also the Sport Manager for Basketball in the upcoming 2014 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) and continues to promote basketball through her many contacts. All the letters we received in support of Jackie’s nomination express gratitude for the experiences she has offered them and their children! Thank you Jackie for caring so much about the Aboriginal youth in Manitoba!
Aboriginal Volunteer Award - Male - Dennis Park
Dennis was nominated for his exceptional volunteer service to Hockey with the Lord Selkirk Minor Hockey Association and Hockey Winnipeg. Dennis has been active in the Hockey for many, many years, spending countless hours at the rink and serving on Boards. In 2012 he was elected as an Officer of Hockey Winnipeg and currently serves as the Vice President responsible for programming for participants 12 and under. He spent countless hours
with this year’s “Dreams program” sorting equipment and outfitting young hockey players prior to the season. Dennis was chosen as Hockey Winnipeg’s Volunteer of the Month for November and is truly deserving of the Aboriginal Volunteer of the Year award!
The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council (MASRC) recognizes Aboriginal coaches for their commitment and development of Aboriginal athletes.
Each year, one male and one female, NCCP certified Aboriginal coaches are selected for the Manitoba Aboriginal Coaching Awards.
Over the years Manitoba coaches from many varied sports, including Archery, Volleyball, Badminton, Baseball, Boxing and Special Olympics have been selected to receive this high honour.
The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council is pleased to announce the winners of the 2012 MANITOBA ABORIGINAL COACHING AWARDS:
Aboriginal Coaching Award - Male - Gavin Young - Brandon
Gavin was part of the coaching staff of five (5) teams in 2012. They included Vincent Massey High School (Football, 8 on 8 Football and Basketball), U16 Team Westman (Football) and the Westman Wolverines (Major Football). Gavin brings much more to coaching than his impressive technical knowledge; he has the ability to relate to all people regardless of socio-economic status, culture or ability. Gavin’s players noted that “he is more than a coach; he is our leader, mentor and friend. He shows us not only how to be a good player, but a good citizen and person as well.” Gavin has had a truly positive effect in the school (work) environment as well as the community as a whole!
Aboriginal Coaching Award - Female - Kelly Chinchilla - Winnipeg
Kelly has been coaching the Anishinabe PRIDE Juvenile Girls (ages 16-18) basketball team for the past two years in the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association (WMBA). Although she has a busy schedule as a single Mom, student, part time worker, pow wow dancer and drummer, she always finds time to commit to the young women on her team. Kelly was a former athlete with Team Manitoba – basketball, at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in 2008 and has committed to giving back to her sport. One of her players noted that “Kelly is always there for us, she taught me about my culture and how to be very proud that I am Aboriginal.”
For more information on the coaches, please email:
Mel Whitesell, Executive Director
Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council
145 Pacific Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
mel.whitesell@sportmanitoba.ca
www.masrc.com