Tom Longboat Awards

The Tom Longboat Awards were established in 1951 to recognize Aboriginal athletes "for their outstanding contributions to sport in Canada" and continues "to honour Indigenous athletes across Canada" annually. As a program of the Aboriginal Sport Circle, the awards provide a forum for acknowledging top male and female athletes both at the regional and national levels.

The Aboriginal Sport Circle offers each provincial and territorial Aboriginal sport body (P/T/TASB) the opportunity to select one male and one female Aboriginal athlete within their region. The regional recipients will be considered as nominees for the national award that is presented to the top male and female athletes at the annual induction ceremony hosted by Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Each of the regional Tom Longboat Award recipients receives a Tom Longboat Award medallion. The two national Tom Longboat Award winners receive Tom Longboat Award rings, and have their names added to the Tom Longboat Award Trophy, which is displayed in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Award history "Of all the athletes in Canadian sport history, only a select few have a major award named in their honour." The Tom Longboat Awards are named in honour of Tom Longboat, a member of the Onondaga Nation from Six Nations of the Grand River who in the early 1900s made a name for himself as a long-distance runner, competing in races across North America and Europe. "In 1999, Maclean's magazine named him Canada's greatest sports legend of the 20th century. Befitting a hero, the Tom Longboat Award has been given since 1951 to the best aboriginal male and female amateur athletes in the country".

The Tom Longboat Awards were established in 1951 as a joint effort of the Department of Indian Affairs and the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada (AAUC). Between 1951 and 1972, Indian Affairs and the AAUC shared responsibility for the awards. Indian Affairs managed the awards at the local and regional levels, while the AAUC directed activities nationally. Responsibility of the awards shifted to the National Indian Brotherhood / Assembly of First Nations and Canadian Amateur Sports Federation (1973–1998) and since 1998, the Awards have been administered by the Aboriginal Sport Circle, the organization representing Aboriginal sport and recreation development in Canada.

Principles The Tom Longboat Award recognizes Aboriginal athletes who have attained significant personal achievements in sport. "In addition to their athletic achievements, recipients will have demonstrated a personal commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and fair play, while reflecting a holistic lifestyle as an Aboriginal Athlete".

Eligibility The Tom Longboat Award honours the accomplishments of athletes within a given program year (September 1 to August 31). Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible as nominees:

Applicants must be of Aboriginal descent (inclusive of First Nations, Inuit and Métis) Applicants must be active within the year of nomination Applicants must demonstrate sportsmanship, fair play and ethics in sport Applicants must complete a nomination package and submit it to their P/TASB on or before the set deadline

Tom Longboat Award winners The following is a list of Tom Longboat Award winners Nationally and Regionally

YearNational Award Winner(s)LocationRegional Award Winner(s) Location2025Apollo Hess Shalaya ValenzuelaAlberta (Kainai) British Columbia (Tsehaht)Ottawa 2024Justina Di StasioEli McLaughlinManitobaBritish Columbia2023Trina RossConnor ChurchManitoba2022Leah MillerConnor ChurchManitoba2021Kerri Einarson Conner Roulette Manitoba2019Cameron GayleardLyric AtchisonManitobaBritish Columbia2018Jocelyne LarocqueMichael LinklaterManitobaSaskatchewan2017James LavalléeJoy Spear Chief-MorrisManitobaAlberta2016(partial list):

Linden McCorrister

Aiyana HartMB

MB2015(partial list):

Malachi Leclerc

Sierra HalldorsonMB

MB2014(partial list):

Justin Krantz (Co-Winner)

Zach Whitecloud (Co-Winner)

Robyn BoulangerMB

MB2013(partial list):

Braedan Boschman

Christie LavalleeMB

MB2012(partial list):

Logan Thacker

Skylar BoulangerMB

MB2011(partial list):

Kiinnan Stevenson-French

Julie DesrochersMB

MB2010(partial list):

Theoren (TJ) Constant

Alyssa BertholetMB

MB2009Ammon Crowfoot

Brigette LacquetteAlberta

ManitobaWilliam Forsey

Jillian Forsey

Wade Googoo

Holly Ann Denny

Wasontiio Stacey

Johnna Montour

Keon Doblej

Lindsay Doxtator

Josh Ahmo

Brigette Lacquette

Todd Fiddler

Ammon Crowfoot

Jessie Lilly

Phil Mack

Brittany Schroeder

Danielle MarcotteNL

EDN

YK2008Matthew Klein Alyssa JohnsonBritish Columbia ManitobaScott Cameron

Alyssa Johnson

Nikashantess Penashue

Sabrina Muise

William Cameron

Electra Charles

Matthew Klein

Sandy Ward

Eric Slipperjack

Nancy Indian

Joshua Kelly

Danielle Marcotte

Mark Anthony Gloade

Sarah Gloade

Gabriel RabbitskinMB

EDN 2007Cody Jamieson

Stacie AnakaOntario

British Columbia(partial list):

Cody Jamieson

Stacie Anaka

Joey Sutherland

Gazheek Morrisseau-Sinclair

Danielle Marcotte

Sammy Kent

Joshua Kelly

Jason Bessey

Alora Dawn BlanchardON

NL2006Sidney Smith

Doris JonesOntario

ManitobaMatthew Klein

Chelsie Mitchell

Ian Manyfingers

Raven Shade

Scott Mills

Shay-Anne Daniels

Emory Wells

Doris Jones

Sidney Smith

Josh Sacobie

Jonathon Rice

Tammy Cote

Ashton Bernard

Ashley Julian

Atshapi Andrew

Marie Penashue

Chris Vance

Jessica Trotter

Michael PutulikBC

EDN

NU2005Dallas Soonias

Marisha RomanAlberta

Ontario(partial list):

Dallas Soonias

Shelley Hruska

Marisha Roman

Justin Sinclair-Paul

Lori Letandre

Brittanee Laverdure

Shane & Roy Byrne (co-winners)

Charmane Naytowhow

Alwyn PicheAB

SK2004Richard Peter Lara MussellBritish Columbia British Columbia(partial list):

Richard Peter

Lara Mussell

Michele King

Nathan O'Nabigon

Garnet Desjarlais

Shelly Hruska

Jocelyn Boutillier

Jeremy Harper BC

YK2003Delby Powless

Deanna SullivanOntario

Alberta(partial list):

Sheldon Lainchbury

Lara Mussell

Delby Powless

Deanna Sullivan

Jared Fletcher

Tawny Dillabough

Kelcy Armstrong

Jaron TutonBC

YK2002Jordin TootooSara-Lynn KnockwoodNunavut Nova Scotia(partial list): Barry Beniot-Conne River

Janice Margaret Forsyth

Wallace Ahmo Jr

Donna MathiesonNL

MB2001Tara Hedican

Shawn BobbOntario

British ColumbiaShawn Bobb Denise Wilson

Tara Hedican

Brandon Nolan

Matt Simonson

Kayla Narvie

Jason Louttit

Holly Anderson

Paul McDonald

Robin Beaulieu

Jason Baxter

Fallon Head

Craig Gagnon

Johnathon Rice

Tony EetukBC BC

NFLD

NWT

EDN

NU2000Richard Peter

Gina OlsenBritish Columbia

British ColumbiaRichard Peter Gina Olsen

Tia Perley

Nicholas Sark

Jessica Jacobs

Douglas Johnson

Katrina Pitawanakwat

Albert Doxtator

Barry Benoit

Jocelyn Davis

Charleton Weaselhead

Kateri Francis

Roderick Gould Jr.

Karine Carlish

Charly Washipabano

Lauren Melnyk

Jason Breland

June Pangon

Jordin TootooBC BC

NFLD

PEI

EDN

NU1999Darren Zack

Waneek Horn-MillerOntario

Eastern Door & NorthDarren Zack Julie Hill

Waneek Horn-Miller

Jonathon Kane

Treva Thomas

Krystal Mason

Jeff Peter

Rachel Mathiasen

Pipon Moose

Jacqueline Lavallee

Dana Laframboise

Jocelyn Rose Davis

Clint Lapatack

Seymour Doucette

Edward Gohn Jr.ON ON

EDN

BC1998Dan Calhoon1997Bruce Paizen19961995Clifford Grieves

Francis X. DeBassiaeeManitoba1994Ryan Bates

Alanaise O. FergusonManitoba

Agassiz19931992199119901989Johnny D. BriseboisKahnawake1988Mona Jones (First year for "Heroes of our Time" award)1987Rick Brant Tyendenaga Mohawk TerritoryRobert Levi

Eleonore Sioui

William R. Plain

Terry Wayne Bone

Willis Vernon ParnellBig Cove New Brunswick

Village des Hurons, Wendake

Waterloo

Winnipeg

Prince Rupert1986Suspended (Only 1 Candidate)Suspended (Only 1 Candidate)Suspended (Only 1 Candidate)Suspended (Only 1 Candidate)1985Tom Erasmus Whitefish Lake BandSherri Paul-Bartlett

Doris HenhawkWoodstock New Brunswick

Six Nations1984Alwyn MorrisKahnawkake1983Suspended (No Funding)Suspended (No Funding)Suspended (No Funding)Suspended (No Funding)1982Tyler SundaySt. RegisEverett Sanipass

Robert Leslie Rice

Rochelle Wells

Joe MasonBig Cove New Brunswick

Parry Island Band

Cardstone

Dawson City1981Gordon Lee CrowchildSarcee ReserveSimon Marshall

Roger Paul

Vicky Rice

Terry AlbertSydney Nova Scotia

Fredericton New Brunswick

Kahnawake

Muncey1980Beverly BeaverSix Nations1979Steve CollinsFort William ReserveReginald Lloyd GinnishEel Ground1978Carole Polchies1977Alwyn MorrisKahnawake (Chaghnawaga)1976Beverly Stranger

Reginald UnderwoodTimiskaming Band

Tsawout BandMalcolm ConstantJames Smith Reserve1975John C. CourcheneFort Alexander ReserveMary Marlene Ward

Roger Vincent

John Kelly

Malcolm Constant

Jacob Wilton LittlechildRed Bank New Brunswick

Quebec

Ontario

James Smith Reserve

Hobbema1974Jacob Wilton LittlechildEdmontonWayne Morris

Robert Atwin

Alwyn Morris

Chief Tony Cote

Vern Baker

Joe MasonCape Breton Island Nova Scotia

Fredericton New Brunswick

Chaghnawaga

Kamasack

Vancouver

Yukon Territory1973Raymond RousselotBersimisCecil Jacobs

Kenneth Eastman

Narcisse Blood Jr.

Felix MosesSouthern Ontario

Pipestone

Alberta

British Columbia1972Howard Sinclair AndersonSioux LookoutMiss Collette Cimon

Miss Sally Jacob

Dwayne Johnson

Arnold Wesley

Lawrence Crate

Clane Anthony SparvierEdmunston New Brunswick

Nemiscan

Samson's Band

Southern Ontario

Manitoba

Alberta1971Doug SkeadNorthern OntarioLeonard Francis Michael Paul

Kenneth Kane

Harold Wayne Brant

Robert Hart

James Thomas McKenziePicton Landing Nova Scotia

Chaghnawaga

Southern Ontario

Manitoba

Saskatchewan1970Kenneth Joseph MontourAlbertaClarence Abraham Smith

Lewis Andrew Deslisle

Miss Nellie Trapper

William (Bill) Seward Sr.

Harry Clearsky

Bruce Dennis WolfeEskasoni Nova Scotia

Chaghnawaga

Moose Factory Band

Nanaimo Band

Manitoba

Saskatchewan1969Bert Mistaken ChiefBlood-Peigan DistrictRoland Sappier

Ronald Kirby

Walter Isbister

Stanley Joseph

Dwight Smith

Miss Rosalind Merrick

Derald DubiosTobique New Brunswick

Chaghnawaga

Sandy Lake

Squamish

Quebec

Manitoba

Saskatchewan1968Phyllis BomberrySouthern OntarioAlfred Sanipass

Edward Wolf Child Jr.

Arthur Herman Helin

Tobil Dick

James Daniel BellegardeBig Cove New Brunswick

Blackfoot Band

Port Simpson

Manitoba

Saskatchewan1967Jacob Wilton LittlechildHobbema-Ermineskin BandArthur Quoquochi

Miss Leona Sparrow

Antoine Mountain

James Smith

Beverly Beaver

Edward Arnold McKenziePointe Bleue Indian Agency

Vancouver

Fort Smith

Manitoba

Southern Ontario

Saskatchewan1966Renson JamiesonSouthern OntarioCynthia Paul (now Gabriel)

Charles Patton

Omer Goodstriker

Stephen Belleau

Headley Colon

Allan AsapaceWoodstock New Brunswick

Caughnawaga

Cardston

Alkali Lake

Manitoba

Saskatchewan1965George [Merman] BrownQueen Charlotte Indian AgencyJacob Wilton Littlechild

Zaccheus Hamilton

Allan Richard LickersHobbema Indian Agency

Manitoba

Southern Ontario1964Gaylord Ross PowlessSouthern OntarioOscar Kistabish

Nick Breaker

Vivian Underwood

Grenville Crate

Marcel GreyeyesAbitibi Agency

Blood Agency

Cowichan Agency

Manitoba

Saskatchewan1963John LewisOntarioHarold PaulGeorge Norton

Melville Baxter

Stephen Wadsworth

John Douglas White

Robert Beaulieu

Doctor GarsonShubenacadie Nova Scotia

Caughnawaga

Nakina Agency

Blood Agency

Cowichan Agency

Fort Smith Agency

Manitoba1962Tom WattsPort AlberniWinston James Paul

Arthur Quoquochi

Samual William Chum

Edwin Wells

Tom Longboat Awards

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