Nominations are open for the 2026 Indigenous Sports Gallery

The Municipality is looking for nominations of local First Nation and Métis athletes, community builders and local legends to be part of the 2026 Indigenous Sports Gallery as it travels around the region for public display. 

The gallery is intended to inspire youth and celebrate the story of Indigenous athletes and their ongoing contributions to sport in the region. Nominations are open from April 7 to May 4.

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 and will be hosting a new 2026 gallery exhibition this summer. 

Selected nominees will be celebrated at an induction ceremony, with the gallery later travelling around the region for public display. The ceremony location will be announced at a later date.

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, 2025. 

Youth Athlete nomination

• Between 8 – 18 years old, as of April 1, 2025.
• Makes a positive contribution to their community and is devoted to sport.
• Demonstrates active participation and has 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 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 within their community and contributed to the development of sport.

How to nominate

Fill out the nomination form online at rmwb.ca/sportsgallery. The deadline is May 4. 

Nominators should be prepared to describe their nominee’s sporting achievements and community contributions in detail. Nominees will be selected for recognition in the gallery by a sharing circle 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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