Kahtou 0004
Jan. 2001

Aboriginal Sport - the National voice of Aboriginal sport, the Aboriginal Sport Circle hosted their Annual General Assembly in Victoria, BC

Delegates from 13 provinces and territories were represented at this National Sport Conference. a main focus was Round table discussions between the Aboriginal Sport Circle representatives and Sport Canada representatives on the development of a new Sport policy in Canada.

A hi-light of this event was the Recognition Sport Banquet hosted by the BC Aboriginal Sports, and the Aboriginal Sport Development Centre. Several athletes were recognised for their achievement in Sports, Wegadesk Gorup Paul - diving, Ed Gohn Jr. - football, Rachel Mathiasen - wrestling, KC Timmons - hockey, Gina Olsen - athlete, coach, official and the BC Womenıs soccer team. All recipients were very happy with their awards.

The Aboriginal Sport Development Center, the only Aboriginal training Center in Canada recognised community members who were the 1st leaders of the "Aboriginal Sport Development Center at the time of the 1994 Commonwealth Games. These were the leaders recognised for their continuous efforts: Elders Ivan Morris Sr, Dr Samuel Sam. Chief Andy Thomas of Esquimalt Nation, Wayne Morris, Dan Henry, Gordon Hanson, Chief Mavis Henry of Pauquachin, Jennifer Williams and Lydia Sam.

BC Aboriginal Sport then recognised Canadaıs National Sport Leaders for the many hours of work to provide opportunity for Aboriginal youth. Elders Billy Two Rivers and Charles Wood, Paul Kowmgeak, Nunavut, Yvonne Carpenter - NWT, Sandra Roach and Nylaklugie - Yukon, Tex Marshall and Robert Bernard - Nova Scotia, Jake Caplin, Darlene Paul - New Burnswick, Jeff Spencer - Quebec, Ed Ducharme - Manitoba, Joyce Good Striker and Ted Hodgson - Alberta, Rich Brant - Aboriginal Sport Circle and Coaches Dorothy Paul and Bruce Leslie.

Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association presented Aboriginal Sport Circle president and 1984 Olympic Gold medalist Alwyn Morris with a special award for leading the Aboriginal Sport Circle over the past years.

The Investors Group, a major sponsor of the Sports Banquet recognised Tom Sampson with the Sport Administration Award, recognising he countless hours of volunteer time in the development of the Aboriginal Sport Development Center. Ted Nolan, former NHL Coach of the year and role model closed the special evening by crediting all the recipients awarded and urged everyone to continue the work in the development of Aboriginal Sports for our youth in Canada.

Thank you to the Investors Group, Tally-Ho Inn, Murphyıs awards, Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of BC, Aboriginal Sport Circle, Aboriginal Sport Development Center and the trophy House for making this special night possible and congratulations to all awarded recipients.