Awards

Annual Awards

Honouring Outstanding Achievements of Indigenous Manitobans in Sport

On April 15, 2026, we celebrated the Manitoba Indigenous Sports Hall of Fame Inductees and Major Award recipients at our Night of Excellence, honouring the outstanding achievements of Indigenous Manitobans in sport. This special event highlighted the top athletes, coaches, and volunteers who have excelled in their roles throughout the past year.

These inductees represent Indigenous excellence in many areas-from athletes earning national recognition to volunteers dedicating their time, to coaches shaping the next generation of Indigenous talent. For the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council, celebrating Indigenous sport is a top priority. Events like this are essential to our mission of recognizing the athletes, coaches, and volunteers who are transforming the world of sport in our province and beyond.

2025 MASRC Sports Awards Recipients

2026 Recipients

For accomplishments in 2025

Taylor Audette

Indigneous Athlete of the Year

Red River Métis

Taylor Audette is a multi-sport athlete whose relentless drive fuels success across hockey, softball and dirt-track racing. Fresh off a dramatic Manitoba Junior Women's Hockey League championship with the Silvertips in 2025- 26, Audette helped spark a stunning late comeback in the decisive game, notching the first of three goals scored in the final minutes to secure the provincial title. But hockey is only part of the story. The 21-year-old from St. Adolphe balances life as a university student, server, competitive fastpitch player and rising Super Truck driver on the family-run Audette Racing Team. Whether drifting through dirt-track corners or attacking the net on the ice, Audette approaches every pursuit with the same intensity and competitive spirit.

Athens Shingoose

Indigneous Athlete of the Year

Waywayseecappo First Nation

At just 15 years old, Athens Shingoose is already turning heads across the Canadian hockey landscape. The dynamic forward from Waywayseecappo First Nation played a starring role in Team Manitoba's gold-medal run at the 2025 WHL Cup, leading the tournament with six goals and six assists in just five games. His performance earned him tournament MVP honours and confirmed what scouts across Western Canada are already saying - Shingoose is a special talent. Drafted 16th overall by the Prince Albert Raiders in the first round of the 2025 WHL Draft, the 5-foot-8 playmaker combines blazing speed, elite vision and a hockey IQ that allows him to see plays develop before they unfold. Currently starring with the RINK Hockey Academy U18 Prep team, where he recorded 15 goals and 31 points in 30 games this season, Shingoose has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young offensive players in his age group.

Robyn Boulanger

Indigenous Coach of the Year

Berens River First Nation

Robyn Boulanger is one of Manitoba's emerging leaders in basketball coaching, already making a national impact while still in her mid 20s. A former outstanding player at the University of Winnipeg Collegiate and with the University of Winnipeg Wesmen Women's Basketball Team, she earned the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council's 2014 Female Athlete of the Year. Not surprisingly, she has transitioned seamlessly from athlete to mentor. She now serves as a lead assistant coach with the Wesmen Women's Basketball Team and previous head coach of Manitoba's provincial U15 female team in the summer of 2024 and 2025 at the Canada Basketball National Championships. In 2025, she was named the recipient of the prestigious Mike MacKay Transformational Coaching Award from Canada Basketball, recognizing coaches who advance leadership, equity, diversity and inclusion while creating meaningful sport experiences. A member of Berens River First Nation, Boulanger founded Zaagi'idiwin Sport Performance, a basketball initiative supporting Indigenous athletes and communities. Robyn recently completed her Master's degree in Indigenous Education at University of British Columbia, and she plans to pursue further coaching studies while continuing to develop athletes and inspire the next generation of players across Manitoba and beyond. Lastly, she has been awarded the first recipient of the Winnipeg Jets Celebrating Women in Sport Scholarship!

Josh Tripp

Indigenous Coach of the Year

Liard First Nation (YT)

Swan Valley Stampeders head coach Josh Tripp's journey in hockey has come full circle, evolving from a standout player in Swan River to an emerging coach shaping the next generation of athletes. A former star with the Stampeders of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), Tripp played 174 games for the club and recorded 200 points before moving on to junior opportunities in the United States and later returning home to finish his career. Raised in a hockey-loving family with roots in both the Liard River First Nation in the Yukon and in Switzerland, Tripp grew up in nearby Bowsman, Manitoba, where the game quickly became a lifelong passion. His playing career included Most Valuable Player honours in the MJHL and a stint with the University of Manitoba before the COVID-19 pandemic redirected his path toward coaching. Now serving as head coach of the 2026 Indigenous Team Manitoba (Male), he led his players to gold at the 2025 National Aboriginal Hockey Championship. Tripp continues to inspire players while building a promising coaching career rooted in community, culture, and a lifelong love of hockey.

Wendy Creed

Indigenous Volunteer of the Year

Keeseekoowenin First Nation

Wendy is being honoured as the Female Volunteer of the Year Award recipient for her remarkable leadership and unwavering dedication to Indigenous sports. Her outstanding commitment to the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council has strengthened Manitoba's sport community in lasting ways. Specifically, Wendy served as Co-Chair of the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championship Host Committee and as Mission Staff for the 2017 and 2023 North American Indigenous Games. Wendy's strong commitment to the work of the MASRC Board of Directors since 2018, has had a profound impact on Indigenous sports. This recognition celebrates not only Wendy Creed's accomplishments, but the spirit of excellence, generosity, and community that she embodies.

Quinton Denechezhe

Indigenous Volunteer of the Year

Northland Denesuline First Nation

Quinton is being honoured for his exceptional dedication as Male Volunteer of the Year Award. Quinton's commitment as a key volunteer with the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the young athletes he coaches. Through his work coaching in the North End Hockey Program since 2021, Quinton has guided numerous teams with patience, passion, and integrity, becoming a trusted role model and constant source of inspiration for many. Quinton's unwavering service to the North End community reflects the very spirit of Indigenous excellence we celebrate tonight.