Tom Longboat Awards

Recognizing Indigenous athletes for their outstanding contributions to sport in Canada

The Tom Longboat Awards were established in 1951 to recognize Indigenous athletes for their outstanding contributions to sport in Canada. With a few exceptions, the Awards have been given out every year since its inauguration. It remains the longest standing and one of the most prestigious awards for Indigenous athletes in the country.

As a program of the Aboriginal Sport Circle, the Tom Longboat Awards provide a forum for acknowledging the growth and strength of the Indigenous sport movement in Canada and its tremendous impact on the sport development from community level participation to elite level competition.

Full list of award recipients can be found here.

Awards

The regional (provincial/territorial) recipients will receive the following:

• An all-expenses-paid round-trip for the recipient and a guest to attend the Awards Gala.
• A custom-made Tom Longboat Award plaque and medallion.

The two national recipients will receive the following:

• An all-expenses-paid round-trip for the recipient and a guest to attend the Awards Gala.
• A custom-made Tom Longboat Award.
• A $1500 bursary to support personal athlete development.

Eligibility

The Awards honour the accomplishments of athletes within a given program year (May 31st, 2025, to May 31st, 2026). Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible as nominees:

• Nominees must be of Indigenous descent (inclusive of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis).
• Nominees must be active within the year of nomination.
• Nominees must demonstrate sportsmanship, fair play and ethics in sport.
• Nominees must complete a nomination form and submit it on or before July 10, 2026.

Nominations

Nomination information to include the following:

Nominees name, age, gender (male/female), address, telephone number, sport(s) nominated for, and number of years competing Level of competition(s) achieved as an athlete (i.e. community, regional, provincial, national, or international)

Nominations must include supporting narratives documenting how the nominee displays the following qualities:

• Shows a personal commitment to their athletic development
  • Identify general training regimen that nominee has maintained and cite improvements from training
• Demonstrates a positive image as it relates to their role as an Indigenous athlete
  • Provide examples or testimonials of how the nominee's conduct reflects the principles of fair play and sportsmanship as it specifically relates to the sport, officials, and the opposition.
  • Provide three written testimonials from coaches, parents, and community as to the nominee's positive image within the community.
• Demonstrates a commitment to a holistic lifestyle by maintaining a balanced physical, mental, cultural, and spiritual outlook
  • Provide up to three testimonials from coaches, parents, and community.
• Personal achievements
• List any athletic awards or levels of achievement that the nominee has received (proof of achievements are required).