Annual Awards

Honouring Outstanding Achievements of Indigenous Manitobans in Sport

Nominations are now closed for the 2025 Manitoba Indigenous Sports Awards, recognizing achievements in 2024. Check back soon for a list of all the award winners for 2025.

This spring, we will celebrate 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 will highlight the top athletes, coaches, and volunteers who have excelled in their roles throughout the past year.

The nominees 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.

Nomination Categories & Eligibility

There are three categories open for nominations, with one male and one female recipient selected in each category each year:

Athlete

• Eligibility: Nominees must be Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and permanent residents of Manitoba.
• Criteria: Nominees must have demonstrated excellence in their sport during the 2024 calendar year. This includes both competitive achievements and positive contributions to their communities.

Coach

• Eligibility: Nominees must be Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and permanent residents of Manitoba.
• Criteria: Nominees must have shown exceptional coaching skills and leadership during the 2024 calendar year. This includes not only coaching achievements but also the positive impact they have made on their athletes and communities.

Volunteer

• Eligibility: Nominees must be Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and permanent residents of Manitoba.
• Criteria: Nominees must have made significant volunteer contributions in sport, recreation, or community-based activities during the 2024 calendar year. This may include roles such as:
  • Team manager, event organizer, assistant coach, or support for athletes.
  • Contributions to the development of recreational programs or community initiatives.
  • Assisting with administrative tasks, mentorship, or facilitating community recreation programs.

Who Can Submit Nominations?

Anyone can submit a nomination! Whether you're a parent, coach, teammate, community member, or someone who has worked alongside the nominee, you are encouraged to share your recognition of their accomplishments.