I·SPARC Honours the Recipients of the Regional 2024 Premier’s Awards

Press Release

2024 Regional Recipients Announced for
Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport

Traditional Territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples / Victoria B.C. (March 12, 2025) – The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is pleased to announce the regional recipients of the 2024 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 2024, 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.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the awards, which began in 2015. The awards have created a legacy of amazing athletes. 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.

“The Premier’s Award for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport underscores that greatness is more than just winning, it’s about excellence of character and outstanding community leadership,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “I’m so impressed by each award recipient. It’s truly inspiring to see such dedication to both your sport, community and your culture – exemplifying the power of sport and community service. I am certain this is just the start of a lifetime of remarkable achievements.”

“Congratulations to all 32 regional finalists for this year’s Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sports,” said Premier David Eby. “You have accomplished much as leaders in your sport and in your community. All of B.C. is cheering you on, as am I. Your achievements are amazing!”

“As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport, we are thrilled to recognize our 2024 Regional Recipients and their outstanding achievements,” said Rick Brant, I·SPARC CEO. “For a decade, the Premier’s Awards have provided an important platform to share the inspirational stories of Indigenous athletes from across all six regions of the province. Congratulations to our 32 recipients- we are honoured to be part of your journey as athletes and leaders in your communities!”

As a way of honouring the 2024 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 can be found on I·SPARC’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/isparc), website, and social media channels.

These regional recipients automatically serve as nominees for the Provincial Awards, which will be announced later this year.

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Fraser Region

Click here to watch the Fraser recipient’s highlight video

Max Goller, Lacrosse: Field and Box, Sts’ailes
Ryan Paterson, Lacrosse, Volleyball & Basketball, Métis Nation BC
Hillary Birkett, Speed Skating, Figure Skating, Métis Nation BC
Colby Walker, Soccer, Baseball, Hockey, Track & Ball Hockey, Métis Nation BC/Cree
Kirin Bullock, Competitive Swimming, Golden Ears Métis Society, Métis Nation BC

Interior Region

Click here to watch the Interior recipient’s highlight video

Austin Krahn, Golf, Mohawks of Akwesasne
Tennyson McCarthy, Basketball, Volleyball, Métis Nation BC
Caelen Cross, Hockey & Lacrosse, Rocky Mountain Métis Association
Benjamin Turvey, Hockey & Golf, Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band
Emma Antoine, High School Rodeo, Bonaparte First Nation
Tierra Elchuk, Golf, Métis Okanagan Thompson Region

Northeast Region

Click here to watch the Northeast recipient’s highlight video

Gavin Currie, Softball, Métis Nation BC
James Reed, Triathlon, Red Pheasant First Nation
Hunter McCarthy, Wrestling, Red River Métis
Jivanna Bird, Ringette & Fastball, Lheidli T’enneh Band
Emmlin Warren, Hockey, Inuit

Northwest Region

Click here to watch the Northwest recipient’s highlight video

Teemo Laughlin, Basketball, Skidegate, Haida Nation
Heidi Bellis, Swimming, Cross Country, Track and Field & Soccer, Old Massett, Haida Nation
Leeara Betts-Zyp “Hanak’m spygat gan”, Soccer, Volleyball, Hockey, Cross-country Running & Wrestling, Gitxsan Nation
Wyatt Mowatt, Soccer & Basketball, Gitxsan Nation
Cailin Watson “Medeek’m tsim wii aks”, Hockey, Basketball, Softball, Volleyball & Soccer, Gitxsan & Nuu Chahnuuhl
Jaida Adams, Hockey & Soccer, Gitxsan Nation

Vancouver Coastal Region

Click here to watch the Vancouver Coastal recipient’s highlight video

Adelle Larden, Lacrosse & Volleyball, Hwlitsum First Nations
Logan Mellish, Box Lacrosse, Squamish First Nation
Summer Cannell, Figure Skating, Synchronized Skating & Free Skate, Musqueam First Nation
Augustus Crysler-Hill, Basketball, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee & Cross-Country, Vancouver Métis Nation BC

Vancouver Island Region

Click here to watch the Vancouver Island recipient’s highlight video

Ava-Marie Jaeger, Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Métis Nation of Greater Victoria
Wyatt Blace, Hockey, Squamish Nation
Makena Kauffman, Gymnastics, Métis Nation of Greater Victoria
Sophie Campo, Softball & Volleyball, Squamish Nation
Marquez Caffiero, Soccer, Nooaitch First Nation / Tsartlip First Nation
Phoenix Roman Ross, Basketball, Cree/Métis

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, recreation, and physical activity 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

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