Monthly Award

Indigenous Athlete of the Month Award

The MASRC wants to recognize Indigenous athletes and their outstanding achievements in sport throughout the Province on a monthly basis. This recognition will be highlighted monthly on all our social media platforms.

Nomination Criteria

  • The Athlete of the Month Award is open to Indigenous (First Nation, Inuit, or Métis) athletes who perform solo or as part of a team.
  • A "team" is defined as a number of persons associated together in an activity. This includes all-star teams and contingents competing in individual disciplines in which there is a recognized team award.
  • To be eligible, athletes must:
    • Participate in a sport which is a recognized by an affiliate of MASRC.
    • Be amateur in status as defined by their provincial sport organizations.
    • Make their primary residence in Manitoba. Athletes who live temporarily in other locations for educational or training purposes and are products of our organization are also eligible as are athletes who are originally from other provinces provided their primary residence is declared as being from Manitoba.
  • Nominations are made by coaches, teachers, community members and affiliate members of MASRC.
  • Nominator is only allowed to nominate one athlete per month.
  • An athlete may only win this award once per calendar year.
  • The nomination deadline is the 15 th of every month (January winner will be announced in February, February's winner in March and so on.)
  • The Awards and Recognition Committee will review all nominations and determine the award recipient. The decisions of the Awards and Recognition Committee are final.

 

Indigenous Community Champion of the Month Award

The MASRC wants to recognize Indigenous community members throughout the province. This recognition will be highlighted monthly on all our social media portals. It will go to an individual who has excelled in their respective sport over the past month.

Nomination Criteria

  • The Community Champion of the Month Award is open to Indigenous (First Nation, Inuit, or Métis) peoples who recognizably go above and beyond for their those who are in their community.
  • A "community" is a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. A community champion could be someone who helps out at community events, offers rides, volunteers, and the list goes on.
  • To be eligible, must:
    • Make their primary residence in Manitoba.
  • Nominations are made by coaches, teachers, community members and affiliate members of MASRC.
  • Nominator is only allowed to nominate one person per month.
  • A community member may only win this award once per calendar year.
  • The nomination deadline is the 28th of every month (January winner will be announced in February, February's winner in March and so on.)
  • The Awards and Recognition Committee will review all nominations and determine the award recipient. The decisions of the Awards and Recognition Committee are final.

Meet our January Indigenous Athlete of the Month: Declan Ryle!

Declan Ryle, a proud member of York Factory First Nation and a resident of Winnipeg, embodies the spirit of resilience, dedication, and leadership as our Indigenous Athlete of the Month for January. Declan exemplifies qualities of sportsmanship, commitment, and compassion that set him apart as an exceptional role model for his peers and community.

As a teammate, Declan leads by example, demonstrating positivity and a collaborative approach to playing basketball. His unwavering dedication to his sport is evident in his commitment to attending practices three times weekly at 7:30 AM, where he consistently gives nothing but his best effort. Moreover, Declan's humility and willingness to continuously improve his technique and understanding of the game highlight his coachability and dedication to personal growth.

Off the court, Declan maintains positive connections with his peers and teachers, exhibiting friendliness, courtesy, and conscientiousness in his approach to schooling. He adheres to rules and school expectations without exception, setting a commendable standard for behavior and academic excellence.

Declan's role as a caring and supportive brother to his younger siblings further underscores his character. He models expected behavior, including kindness, and ensures their safety by walking them from school at times. His commitment to family and community reflects his values and sense of responsibility beyond the realm of sports.

Declan's athletic accomplishments speak volumes about his talent and dedication across various sports. From winning championships in hockey and box lacrosse to being recognized as a top goalie in Indigenous hockey tournaments, his achievements showcase his versatility and skill in any sport. He values the many lessons that any game or sport teaches him. Not only are his games physically demanding, Declan's mental and emotional abilities are a testament to his development as an Indigenous athlete, especially as a hockey goaltender.

He currently shares an undefeated regular season hockey record as a goaltender in the U13 A2B division with his teammates. He practices both field and box lacrosse with the U15 Team Manitoba Athlete Development Program for Manitoba Lacrosse. None the less with a busy schedule, Declan still manages to practice with the 2023-24 Manitoba Selects Development Program in football. Furthermore, his willingness to explore new sports like tennis and golf demonstrates his open-mindedness and eagerness to expand his horizons.

In addition to his athletic pursuits, Declan enjoys activities like skateboarding, scootering, and biking, showcasing his adventurous spirit and love for outdoor recreation. His well-rounded interests and passion for sports contribute to his holistic development as an individual and athlete.

In conclusion, Declan Ryle's remarkable achievements, unwavering commitment, and exemplary character make him a deserving recipient of the Indigenous Athlete of the Month award. His dedication to his sport, community, and personal growth inspire those around him and serve as a shining example of Indigenous excellence in athletics. We congratulate Declan on his accomplishments and look forward to witnessing his continued success both on and off the field.

Meet our December Indigenous Community Champion of the Month: Joshua Snowbird!

We are thrilled to introduce Joshua Snowbird as our Indigenous Community Champion of the Month! Joshua, a charismatic and caring individual, hails from God's Lake First Nation and has quickly become an integral part of Garden Hill First Nation.

In his role with the Family Enhancement program, Joshua's genuine concern for the welfare of others, especially the younger generation, shines through. Despite his youth, he's already recognized as an up-and-coming leader, driven by a deep desire to contribute to the growth and success of his community.

But Joshua's impact doesn't stop there! In his free time, he dedicates himself to volunteering, focusing on coaching and teaching youth sports, particularly basketball. Opening the gym doors at least once a week, he provides a safe space for the youth to stay active and engaged. Beyond the court, Joshua serves as a positive role model, inspiring young minds to embrace sports and an active lifestyle.

A proud graduate of South East Collegiate, Joshua's involvement in sports goes beyond personal passion-it's a tool to foster community engagement and well-being. Having played on their basketball and volleyball teams, he brings a wealth of experience to his community.

Joshua humbly attributes his success to his co-workers, stating, "I have a deep desire to learn from the experience of my co-workers as they have taught me a lot, and I'm incredibly grateful for them." This acknowledgment reflects his humility and eagerness to grow both personally and professionally.

In summary, Joshua Snowbird embodies the spirit of our Indigenous Community Champion of the Month-showcasing leadership, community dedication, and a commitment to the positive development of the younger generation. His infectious enthusiasm and caring nature make him a standout figure in Garden Hill First Nation, leaving an indelible mark on the community he proudly calls home.

2023

Month Name Band/Region Community
January

Robyn Boulanger

 Berens River First Nation Winnipeg
February Mason Foreman Red River Metis East Selkirk
March Jade Pelland Red River Metis Winnipeg
April Logan Barnabe Red River Metis Winnipeg
May N/A
June N/A
July N/A
August Muriel Hart Nisichiwayasihk Cree Nation Winnipeg
September N/A
October Asun Ducharme O-Pipon-Na-Piwin First Nation Winnipeg
November Caitlyn Hollywood Red River Metis Winnipeg
December Coming Soon!

 

2022

Month Name Band/Region Community
December N/A N/A N/A
November Kingston Thomas Barren Lands First Nation Brochet/Brandon
October Caridee Pelletier Peguis First Nation Winnipeg
September Trina Ross Cross Lake First Nation Pimicikamak
August Breas Ross Cross Lake First Nation Pimicikamak
July Tarig Ahmed Long Plain First Nation Winnipeg
June Elle Wood Métis - Winnipeg Winnipeg
May Norman John Lacquette Peguis First Nation Mallard
April Levi Johnston Métis - Winnipeg Winnipeg
March Waasayah Munro-Soldier Fox Lake Cree Nation Swan Lake First Nation
February Kendra Allard Métis - Winnipeg Winnipeg
January N/A N/A N/A

 

2021

Month Name Band/Region Community
December N/A N/A N/A
November N/A N/A N/A
October Phillip Sutherland Peguis First Nation Peguis First Nation
September Hannah Penner N/A Winnipeg
August Leah Miller Cross Lake First Nation Winnipeg
July Jesiah Bennet Métis - Southeast St-Pierre-Jolys
June Trechelle Bunn Birdtail Sioux First Nation Birdtail Sioux First Nation
May Finley Folkett Métis - Southeast Morden
April Emily Mandamin Iskatewizaagegan First Nation Shoal Lake First Nation/Winnipeg
March Hailey Witko Métis - Winnipeg Winnipeg
February Trey Ross Norway House Cree Nation Norway House Cree Nation
January Mariko Bercier Opaskwayak Cree Nation Opaskwayak Cree Nation

 

2023

Month Name Band/Region Community
January Rebecca Kantimere Waywayseecappo First Nation Winnipeg
February Antonina Kandiurin York Factory First Nation Churchill
March Kim Avonthay Red River Metis Lac du Bonnet
April N/A
May N/A
June N/A
July N/A
August Tamara Beardy Tataskwayak Cree Nation Winnipeg
September N/A
October N/A
November Brooke McNab Red River Metis Winnipeg
December Joshua Snowbird God's Lake First Nation Garden Hill First Nation

 

2022

Month Name Band/Region Community
December N/A N/A N/A
November Marshall Prince Long Plain First Nation Long Plain First Nation
October Savanna Sayese Opaskwayak Cree Nation Opaskwayak Cree Nation
September N/A N/A N/A
August N/A N/A N/A
July Tanya Thompson Métis - Northwest Russell
June Ray Starr Sandy Bay First Nation Sagkeeng First Nation
May Heather Lambert Métis - Southeast St. Laurent
April N/A N/A N/A
March Culley Kipling Peguis First Nation Winnipeg
February N/A N/A N/A
January N/A N/A N/A

 

2021

Month Name Band/Region Community
December N/A N/A N/A
November N/A N/A N/A
October N/A N/A N/A
September N/A N/A N/A
August N/A N/A N/A
July Camille Munro Fox Lake Cree Nation Winnipeg
June N/A N/A N/A
May Kaitlin Fosseneuve Métis/Cross Lake First Nation Winnipeg
April Jessica Guimond Sagkeeng First Nation Sagkeeng First Nation
March Dayton Desjarlais Brokenhead First Nation Winnipeg
February Nicole Madsen Métis Winnipeg
January Angel Grieves Gods Lake First Nation Gods Lake First Nation

Recognition

Canada
Manitoba
Sport Manitoba

We acknowledge and respect that the MASRC is based on lands shared between peoples, the land of the Anishinabe & Cree, on Treaty One Territory and on the Homeland of the Red River Metis. Being an organization that travels throughout Manitoba, we also acknowledge and respect all lands and treaties we operate on, including Treaty 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 10 as well as the Dakota Nations.

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