Four young Kamloops-area First Nations athletes honoured with Premier's award

Photo: Contributed

Vanessa Michel, a 17-year-old rodeo competitor from Cache Creek, was among 29 First Nations athletes recognized on Wednesday with an award from Premier John Horgan.

Four young Kamloops-area athletes have been named recipients of the 2021 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport.

Darius Sam (endurance running, Lower Nicola), Keanu Manuel (athletics and snowboarding, Merritt), Raine Celesta-Camille (baseball and snowboarding, Barriere) and Vanessa Michel (rodeo, Cache Creek) were among six recipients in the Interior when winners were announced on Wednesday.

Nominations were opened last year for First Nations athletes 25 and younger who compete in a performance sport and “demonstrate a commitment to their education, culture and promoting healthy and active lifestyles.”

“These regional awards celebrate Indigenous youth excellence in sport, an important part of our government’s commitment to reconciliation,” Premier John Horgan said in a news release.

“Each year, it is with great pride that we partner with I-SPARC [Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council] to acknowledge Indigenous youth who have stood out for their leadership, exceptional athleticism and exemplary commitment to their sport, community and culture.”

Twenty-nine recipients were named across B.C.