
Indigenous Sports Gallery
The Indigenous Sport Gallery recognizes and celebrates Indigenous athletes’ contributions to sport and well-being within the Wood Buffalo region.
Highlighted athletes have been chosen for their exemplary balance of the aspects of well-being within their lives and communities.
“Just as the Arctic Winter Games are an expression of sporting achievement, development and culture, the Sport Gallery reflects the same values, while recognizing a person’s admirable balance of well-being within their lives and communities and also honour the time and effort residents have put into their community,” Allison Flett, Co-Chair of the Host Society’s Culture Committee. “This gallery will contribute to the conversation about Indigenous excellence in sport within Wood Buffalo and inspire youth to strive for future personal greatness.”
This initiative supports Truth and Reconciliation CTA #87, nominating and celebrating Indigenous athletes from Wood Buffalo.
The Indigenous Sport Gallery inspired by the stories of the honourees will travel throughout Wood Buffalo during the 2023 Arctic Winter Games and during the lead-up Torch Relay events.
Indigenous Sport Gallery Honourees include:
Local Legend
Lawrence Bull Powder – Fort McKay First Nation
Keanan Cardinal – Mikisew Cree First Nation
Julien Cardinal – Fort Chipewyan Métis
Albert Nokohoo – Chipewyan Prairie First Nation
Danny Lindstrom – Fort McMurray 468 First Nation
Mike Cardinal – Fort McMurray Métis
Athlete
Dawson King – Hay River Métis
Detonaze Paulette – Smith’s Landing First Nation
Connor Tuccaro – Mikisew Cree First Nation
Mae-Belle Fraser – Mikisew Cree First Nation
Mason Wanderingspirit – Mikisew Cree First Nation
Cash Brebant – Mikisew Cree First Nation
Ryder Carroll – Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Brielle Mercredi – Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Arianna Perreault – Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Corbin Cyprien – Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Tayden Shott – Fort McKay First Nation
Alicia Gladue – Fort McKay First Nation
Jayden Shott – Fort McKay Métis Nation
Ben Asadi – Fort McKay Métis Nation
Bear Croucher – Fort McMurray 468 First Nation
Presley Hodgson – Fort McMurray 468 First Nation
Riley Bourque – Willow Lake Métis Nation
Landon Bourque – Willow Lake Métis Nation
Lucas Thompson – Fort McMurray Métis
Shania Desjarlais – Conklin Metis Local 193
Skye Quintal-Janvier – Chipewyan Prairie First Nation
Community Builder
Dustin Nokohoo – Chipewyan Prairie First Nation
Verna Quintal-Janvier – Conklin Métis Local 193
Shay Laurent – Fort McKay First Nation
Bernadette Dumais – Fort McMurray 468 First Nation
Angela Marcel – Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Nathan Whiteknife – Mikisew Cree First Nation
Judy Ann Cardinal – Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation
Regional Community Builder
David Bouchier – Fort McKay First Nation
Nicole Bourque-Bouchier – Mikisew Cree First Nation
Theme Song Celebrating Culture
The Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games theme song is a cultural celebration of our region and the event itself.
The creation and use of a theme song not only inspires and motivates participants but also adds to the total Games experience for participants, visitors and volunteers.
The following artists were selected to help write, produce and record the official Theme Song of the Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games!
Jerome Cardinal – Fort Chipewyan
Darren Mercerdi – Fort Chipewyan
Kaydence Gladue – Fort McKay
Dan Tulk – Fort McMurray
Daisy Mella – Fort McMurray
Rory O’Hern – Fort McMurray
Zion Afuang – Fort McMurray
Katie Williams – Fort McMurray
Listen to the theme song at awg2023.org/theme-song