Meadow Arcand-Squakin is not only an accomplished lacrosse player but also a key advocate for female athletes in her community. Growing up playing on co-ed lacrosse teams, she identified a need for a dedicated girls’ program in the Penticton Minor Lacrosse Association, which she co-founded four years ago. This leadership extended to her being named the captain for her club. Meadow was also a member of Team BC, where her team won the bronze medal at the U22 Junior Women’s Box Lacrosse National Championships. Meadow’s leadership extends beyond playing as she has also taken on coaching roles for junior and youth teams. A third-year student of Indigenous Studies at University of British Columbia Okanagan, Arcand-Squakin is a role model both on and off the field. This includes mentoring students at the school’s Indigenous Centre. Meadow maintains a strong connection with her Indigenous culture through participating in fancy dance at powwows and devoting her time to maintaining traditional foods.

Connor Lewis, a member of the University of Northern British Columbia’s men’s soccer team, is recognized for his athletic prowess and his commitment to education. In 2023, Connor helped his club finish 3^rd overall in the Canada West Pacific Division, which saw his team make the playoffs for the second time in UNBC’s history. In this season, he was second in goals and points for the Timberwolves. In 2024, Connor participated in his fifth season with the team, which saw him hit the 50-game milestone. At 22 years old, he is in his final year of university and plans to attend law school, with hopes of enrolling at the University of British Columbia or the University of Victoria. Lewis believes in the importance of promoting Indigenous athletes and has been a dedicated representative of his Métis heritage. His soccer career has been marked by hard work, although he is now leaning toward focusing on academics as he transitions to law school​.

Cheyenne Simicak has demonstrated exceptional ability in both softball and baseball, competing at high levels and representing her community with pride. She was a member of the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat Softball team, which saw the team win the 2023 Western Collegiate Softball Championship. The Heat went on to place fourth at the 2023 Canadian Collegiate Softball Association’s National Championship. During the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Halifax, Cheyenne and Team BC captured a bronze medal in 19U women’s softball, which may have been one of her most significant accomplishments in 2023. Her athletic versatility is notable, which has seen her transition to helping coach baseball in her local association. Her passion for her sports and culture has earned her recognition at the provincial level​.

Lincoln Wall’s accomplishments in lacrosse have marked him as one of the rising stars of the sport. Lincoln is a product of the Port Coquitlam Saints Minor Lacrosse Association. This is where he spent his last year of minor lacrosse, helping his team win the U17 A2 Provincials. This success carried on, when Lincoln was able to make the jump to Junior ‘A’ and help his team earn a spot in the 2024 Minto Cup national junior lacrosse championship. Lincoln was a member of Team BC for box and field lacrosse competing at Canadian Nationals. In 2023, his team captured a silver medal at the U17 Field Lacrosse National Championships and U17 Minor Box Lacrosse Nationals, where he was the tournament leading scorer and was awarded the gold medal game MVP. Additionally, he was a key member of 16U Team BC earning a silver medal at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Halifax. Wall has demonstrated leadership qualities in his sport, earning praise for his dedication and commitment to promoting Indigenous youth in lacrosse. His contributions extend beyond the field, as he actively is involved in refereeing, coaching and volunteering with the Fusion Spirit Foundation.

Grant Reid has made significant strides in hockey, emerging as a key player while maintaining strong ties to his Métis heritage. Grant was a member of the Yale Hockey Academy, where his team reached the Canadian Sport School Hockey League semi-finals in 2023. After a strong showing with Yale Academy, along with captaining Team BC at the 2023 Canada Winter Games; Grant was one of the few players from the province drafted into the Western Hockey League (WHL). Grant has been a key component with Team BC at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) competing in the games hosted by Manitoba in 2023 and Alberta in 2024. Team BC captured bronze medals both years, with Grant earning game MVP in 2023, and captaining the team in 2024. His skill and dedication to the game have been recognized provincially, as he continues to be an inspiring figure for young Indigenous hockey players. Reid’s focus on balancing his cultural responsibilities with his sport makes him a standout recipient​.

Danica Maynard has earned provincial recognition for her dedication to the sport of hockey. During 2023, she played on several high-level teams including the RINK Academy Team in Kelowna. Her list of accomplishments is impressive, with a gold medal with Team BC at the 2023 Canada Winter Games and competing with Team BC at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) in 2023 and 2024. In her first year at the NAHC, she led the team in scoring as a defender. Known for her determination and skill on the ice, she has not only excelled in hockey but also in the classroom where she had the highest GPA on her team. Danica constantly supports Métis initiatives including participating in the Tea and Bannock Cup, a nation-wide tournament for Métis hockey players.

Nicholas Lafontaine’s impact on basketball in BC has been tremendous, both as a player and as a community leader. Nicholas completed his studies at Langara College in Vancouver during which he competed on the men’s basketball team. As the starting shooting guard with the Falcons, Nicholas led the Pacific Western Athletic Association in 3-point shooting percentage. These credentials and strong leadership skills were recognized when Nicholas was nominated for Teammate of the Year in 2023. Nicholas has competed at two North American Indigenous Games, switching roles to coaching with Team BC at the 2023 NAIG in Halifax. He hopes to continue to be involved in coaching and giving back to the sport that he loves. His athletic achievements are accompanied by his strong leadership off the court, where he works to promote a healthy and active lifestyle among Indigenous youth. Lafontaine is dedicated to using his platform to inspire the next generation of Indigenous athletes​.

Tymeko Collinson has excelled in volleyball, showcasing her athletic abilities and leadership within her community. Representing the Haida Nation, she has been a powerful role model, using her success in sport to promote active living and cultural pride. In 2023, she was named Female Athlete of the Year and Haida Student of the Year in 2023. Tymeko represented Team BC at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in 16U female beach volleyball. Alongside her partner she won a silver medal, the first time BC has won a medal in the sport. Her recognition at the provincial level highlights her contributions as an athlete and leader. She is a strong supporter of fundraising efforts, which aim to offset transportation costs with out-of-town tournaments and championships. Tymeko is dedicated to her culture and has performed with a Haida dance group since the age of four.

Alexandra Nelson recently graduated from Shawnigan Lake School, where she received a scholarship for her success in hockey and in the classroom. As an athlete, Alexandra has excelled in both of Canada’s national sports, hockey and lacrosse. On the ice she is a goalie and earned a silver medal at the Canadian Sport School Hockey League U18 Girls Prep Championship with Shawnigan Lake. Alexandra represented Team BC at three National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (2022-2024) and was an integral member of the 2024 team winning a bronze medal. On the court, Alexandra helped the Team BC 19U female box lacrosse team to a gold medal. She is actively engaged in student life at Shawnigan Lake, helping in the creation of an Indigenous student space where students talk and support each other. This fall Alexandra started a new chapter of her life, attending school at the University of British Columbia. Her journey has been marked by a deep sense of gratitude to her family, coaches, and community​.

Ben Brant, a 20-year-old hockey player, grew up in the Cowichan Valley and spent his junior career with the Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) and the Victoria Cougars (VIJHL). As an assistant captain with the Cougar, he finished the 2023 season as the team’s top scorer and was recognized as one of their top forwards. Ben also represented Team BC at the 2019 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC), where the team captured a bronze medal in Whitehorse, Yukon. He is committed to honoring his Mohawk ancestry while pursuing his hockey goals. Brant’s journey in hockey has been shaped by his desire to learn more about his culture and share that knowledge through sport. His contributions as a player and coach have made him a well-respected figure in his community​. Ben attends the University of Victoria and is an assistant coach at the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy on Vancouver Island.