The Aboriginal Sports Circle (ASC) hosted it 15th annual award dinner on Dec. 9 at the Explorer Hotel, recognizing five individuals.
The event was attended by more than 200 guests, including athletes, coaches, teachers, community builders and dignitaries.
SA国际影视传媒淭oday we have award winners from Yellowknife, Fort Good Hope, Fort Simpson, Hay River, and this year we have over 50 nominations for award winners,SA国际影视传媒� said Aaron Wells, executive director with ASC. SA国际影视传媒淭oday is also a celebration of culture. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 important to our organization that we try do the best of our ability, to incorporate First Nations, Inuit and culture in all that we do.SA国际影视传媒�
The award winners received handcrafted awards made by Indigenous artist Richard Adam Kolouhok Kudlak, which were displayed on the stage.
SA国际影视传媒漈his accomplishment is not something that I need at all and there are many others who deserve to share in the award,SA国际影视传媒� said Michael Squirrel, Community Builder Award winner, SA国际影视传媒渂ecause volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to bring sports and special events to their community. I would also like to thank my wife for allowing me to participate in events that ISA国际影视传媒檓 passionate about.SA国际影视传媒�
Former Municipal and Community Affairs Minister and now legislative assembly Speaker Shane Thompson, who presented the award, praised SquirrelSA国际影视传媒檚 dedication to community development, particularly his efforts to organize a basketball tournament. Despite the local teamSA国际影视传媒檚 loss, Thompson expressed admiration for SquirrelSA国际影视传媒檚 commitment and passion.
Coach of the Year went to Jacob Klengenberg from Ulukhaktok. Klengenberg emphasized the importance of community in nurturing youth and acknowledged the role of the Aboriginal Sports Circle in his own upbringing in the North. He shared his journey from participating in games in 2014, 2016, and 2018 to receiving the Coach of the Year Award, a recognition he did not anticipate but deeply appreciates.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 surprising to me,SA国际影视传媒� said Klengenberg. SA国际影视传媒淥bviously I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 expect this award.SA国际影视传媒�
He also mentioned heSA国际影视传媒檚 taking on a role with the , and said heSA国际影视传媒檚 looking forward to contributing more to the community.
Fort Good HopeSA国际影视传媒檚 Betty Barnaby, the winner of Language and Culture award, announced her retirement after 46 years of dedicated service in the field of education. Barnaby, who spent the majority of her life teaching children, expressed mixed emotions about her retirement.
She emphasized the importance of community and teamwork in achieving great things. She thanked her sisters, her beloved friend Emily, and her children, who she fondly remembers helping her correct papers around the kitchen table.
SA国际影视传媒淏ack 42 years ago, there was a dream to have 50 per cent teaching staff Indigenous, and that is not happening,SA国际影视传媒� she said, noting that her retirement will leave an even greater void locally. SA国际影视传媒淪o thinking of that is very scary.SA国际影视传媒�
Despite that, she added that she remains hopeful for the future.
Philippe Goguen earned the NWTTA Teacher Award while Jacob Mitchener was chosen for the Sport Award.
