Call for nominees for Indigenous Sports Gallery now open

The Municipality is looking for nominations of local Indigenous athletes, community builders and local legends to be part of the travelling Indigenous Sports Gallery.

The gallery is intended to recognize and honour the sporting achievements and ongoing contributions of members of local First Nation or Métis communities.

The Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games created a travelling Indigenous Sports Gallery to honour Call to Action 87. The Municipality is carrying this legacy forward and hosting the inaugural RMWB Indigenous Sports Gallery exhibition this summer.

“We’re looking forward to seeing exceptional people nominated as athletes, community builders and local legends,” said Dennis Fraser, Director of Indigenous and Rural Relations at the RMWB. “We’re glad to host the gallery this summer and help share the inspirational stories of Indigenous athletes as part of advancing Call to Action 87.”

Selected nominees will be celebrated at an induction ceremony, with the gallery later travelling around the region for public display. Nominations are open from April 8 to May 3.

Nomination qualifications

Must be a member of a local First Nation or Métis community and have lived within the RMWB for at least 12 consecutive months as of April 1, 2023.

Youth Athlete nomination

• Between 8 – 18 years old, as of April 1, 2023
• Devoted to sport and make a positive contribution to their community
• Demonstrates active participation and have admirable skills in their chosen sport
• Participates in sport within their community, in regional, provincial or national competitions, on competitive post-secondary teams or elite stream competitions
• Willing to contribute a quote about how sport has supported their personal well-being

Community Builder nomination

• Makes a positive contribution as a leader of sport within their community
• Demonstrates commitment and support for sport and well-being in their community
• Demonstrates admirable values and/or personal characteristics

Local Legend nomination

• An individual who has passed on to the spirit world and left a lasting impact in their community and contributed to the development of sport

How to nominate

It only takes a few minutes to nominate someone by filling out an online form. The deadline to nominate is May 3.

Nominators should be prepared to share the story of their nominee’s sporting achievements and community contributions. Nominees will be selected for recognition in the gallery by a committee of local community members.

For questions or to get help nominating someone for the Indigenous Sports Gallery, contact Pulse at 780-743-7000 or toll-free at 1-800-973-9663.

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