By Anthony Corea

INDIGENOUS EXCELLENCE

Two local athletes recognized for Indigenous Youth Excellence

Jul 13, 2023 | 6:22 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Nine athletes in Northern BC got a prestigious honor this week, being named a recipient of the 2022 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport. Two of those recipients have made a reputation here in Prince George. UNBC’s Claire Turner from the Métis First Nation and Duchess Park’s Rowan Teegee-Zatorksi from the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.

Claire Turner is one of the leaders on the UNBC Woman’s Soccer Team and has made her impact felt at the University as a whole. Turner was awarded the Indigenous student-athlete award as well as being named an Academic All-Canadian. Turner has also been active in the North volunteering her time while also being a major part of UNBC’s indigenous jersey campaign. She says she couldn’t have been a recipient without all the help in the community and the inclusiveness the University has shown her.

“The UNBC First Nation’s center welcomed me with open arms. It’s always a great place to hang out, just relax, reset, and study. The community has been super inclusive. Everyone wants to see everyone succeed, so it’s hard to not really like love that environment.” – Claire Turner, Métis First Nation

For Rowan Teegee Zatorski, he was named a recipient because of his great volleyball skills and effort in the community. A sign that his hard work is paying off. Now Teegee-Zatorski is off to Halifax to compete in the 2023 North American Indigenous Games. Like others, he’s looking forward to the experience of traveling across the country but he’s also excited to perform on the big stage against some of North America’s best.

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“I’m really, really excited. You know, it’s 12 kids. I know most of them and all are my pretty good friends. I want to win it all. I want to bring home first place. And if there’s like an MVP or all-star team, I hope I get that. I want to play my best there.” – Rowan Teegee-Zatorksi, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation

The award automatically serves as a nomination for the Provincial Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport, which will be announced later this year. The Full list of athletes from the North is below

• Kendra Schlamp, Hockey/Basketball/Soccer/Snowboarding/Track and Field, Moberly Lake, Salteau First Nations
• Rowan Teegee-Zatorksi, Volleyball, Prince George, Lheidli T’enneh
• Claire Turner, Soccer, Fort St. John, Métis
• Kurtis Lee, Hockey, Fort St. John, Dease River First Nation
• Keesha Pontious, Volleyball, Quesnel, Selkirk First Nation
• Philippe Josiah Lacerte, Hockey, Burns Lake, Lake Babine Nation
• Fredrick Bear, Hockey/Basketball/Softball, Hazelton, Gitanyow
• Teysean Angeline Henry, Figure Skating, Terrace, Gitxsan/Tsimshian Nation
• Josh Leighton, Hockey/Golf/Track and Field/Cross-Country, Prince Rupert, Metlakatla

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Twitter: @AnthonyCorea13

Email: Anthony.Corea@Pattisonmedia.com