Award winners celebrated at 2026 Indigenous Sports Gallery ceremony

Press Release

Local First Nation and Métis youth athletes, community builders and local legends were honoured at the Indigenous Sports Gallery ceremony Thursday night.

The ceremony was held at the Nikinan Community Centre on Fort McMurray 468 First Nation traditional territory, marking the first time it has been hosted in a First Nation community. Recipients each received a beaded medallion crafted by local artists and are now featured in the expanded Indigenous Sports Gallery.

The gallery is intended to inspire youth and celebrate the stories of First Nation and Métis athletes and their ongoing contributions to sport in the region.

The Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games created a travelling Indigenous Sports Gallery to honour the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 87. The RMWB carried this legacy forward in 2024 with its own Indigenous Sports Gallery, which has now been expanded with the addition of the 2026 recipients.

2026 Youth Athletes

Athletes between 8 and 18 years old who are devoted to sport, demonstrate admirable skill and make a positive contribution to their community.

• Aleighcia Powder – Fort McKay Métis Nation
• Baileigh Morningstar – Mikisew Cree First Nation
• Chase Fabian – Fort McKay First Nation
• Cheyanne Simon – Chipewyan Prairie First Nation
• Dalton Nokohoo – Chipewyan Prairie First Nation
• Declan Roberts – McMurray Métis
• Gunnar Deltess – Chipewyan Prairie First Nation
• Jayce Flett – Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
• Kye Courtoreille – Mikisew Cree First Nation
• Kye Folkersen – Fort McKay Métis Nation
• Kyra Schaeffer – Fort McMurray 468 First Nation
• Lainey Marchuk – McMurray Métis
• Layla Loutitt – Mikisew Cree First Nation
• Lincoln Bourque – Willow Lake Métis Nation
• Logan Elizabeth Flett – Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
• Malibu Grandjambe – Fort McKay First Nation
• Michelle Bouchier – Fort McKay First Nation
• Miles Plews-Bouchier – Chipewyan Prairie First Nation and Fort McMurray 468 First Nation

2026 Community Builders

Someone who makes a positive contribution as a leader of sport within their community.

• Ashten Cornell – Chipewyan Prairie First Nation
• Bull and Betty Woodward – Fort McMurray 468 First Nation
• Danny Hodgson – McMurray Métis
• Michael Mercredi – Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
• Rachel Marcel – Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
• Riel Webb – McMurray Métis

2026 Local Legends

An individual who has passed on to the spirit world, leaving a lasting impact in their community and contribution to the development of sport.

• George Nokohoo – Chipewyan Prairie First Nation
• Hector “Mickey” Demers – McMurray Métis
• Marcel Janvier – Chipewyan Prairie First Nation

The gallery will later be travelling around the region on public display, with more locations announced in the coming months.

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