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
| Year | National Award Winner(s) | Location | Regional Award Winner(s) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Kerri Einarson Conner Roulette |
Manitoba | ||
| 2019 | Cameron Gayleard | Manitoba
British Columbia |
||
| 2018 | Jocelyne Larocque | Manitoba
Saskatchewan |
||
| 2017 | James Lavallée | Manitoba
Alberta |
||
| 2016 | (partial list):
Linden McCorrister Aiyana Hart |
MB MB | ||
| 2015 | (partial list):
Malachi Leclerc Sierra Halldorson |
MB MB | ||
| 2014 | (partial list):
Justin Krantz (Co-Winner) Zach Whitecloud (Co-Winner) Robyn Boulanger |
MB MB MB | ||
| 2013 | (partial list):
Braedan Boschman Christie Lavallee |
MB MB | ||
| 2012 | (partial list):
Logan Thacker Skylar Boulanger |
MB MB | ||
| 2011 | (partial list):
Kiinnan Stevenson-French Julie Desrochers |
MB MB | ||
| 2010 | (partial list):
Theoren (TJ) Constant Alyssa Bertholet |
MB MB | ||
| 2009 | Ammon Crowfoot | Alberta
Manitoba |
William Forsey
Jillian Forsey Wade Googoo Holly Ann Denny Wasontiio Stacey Johnna Montour Keon Doblej Lindsay Doxtator Josh Ahmo Todd Fiddler Ammon Crowfoot Jessie Lilly Brittany Schroeder Danielle Marcotte |
NL
NL NS NS EDN EDN ON ON MB MB SK AB AB BC BC YK |
| 2008 | Matthew Klein
Alyssa Johnson |
British Columbia
Manitoba |
Scott 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 Rabbitskin |
MB MB NL NL SK SK BC BC ON ON YK YK NS NS EDN |
| 2007 | Cody Jamieson | Ontario
British Columbia |
(partial list):
Cody Jamieson Joey Sutherland Gazheek Morrisseau-Sinclair Danielle Marcotte Sammy Kent Joshua Kelly Jason Bessey Alora Dawn Blanchard |
ON BC MB MB YK YK YK NL NL |
| 2006 | Sidney Smith | Ontario
Manitoba |
Matthew Klein
Chelsie Mitchell Ian Manyfingers Raven Shade Scott Mills Shay-Anne Daniels Emory Wells Sidney Smith Josh Sacobie Jonathon Rice Tammy Cote Ashton Bernard Ashley Julian Atshapi Andrew Marie Penashue Chris Vance Jessica Trotter Michael Putulik |
BC
BC AB AB SK SK MB MB ON NB EDN EDN NS NS NL NL YK YK NU |
| 2005 | Dallas Soonias
Marisha Roman |
Alberta
Ontario |
(partial list):
Dallas Soonias Shelley Hruska Marisha Roman Justin Sinclair-Paul Lori Letandre Shane & Roy Byrne (co-winners) Charmane Naytowhow Alwyn Piche |
AB ON MB MB YK NL SK SK |
| 2004 | Richard Peter | British Columbia
British Columbia |
(partial list):
Michele King Nathan O'Nabigon Garnet Desjarlais Jocelyn Boutillier Jeremy Harper |
BC BC ON ON MB MB YK YK |
| 2003 | Delby Powless
Deanna Sullivan |
Ontario
Alberta |
(partial list):
Sheldon Lainchbury Deanna Sullivan Jared Fletcher Tawny Dillabough Kelcy Armstrong Jaron Tuton |
BC BC ON AB MB MB YK YK |
| 2002 | Jordin TootooSara-Lynn Knockwood | Nunavut
Nova Scotia |
(partial list):
Barry Beniot-Conne River Wallace Ahmo Jr Donna Mathieson |
NL
ON MB MB |
| 2001 | Tara Hedican
Shawn Bobb |
Ontario
British Columbia |
Shawn Bobb
Denise Wilson Tara Hedican Matt Simonson Kayla Narvie Holly Anderson Paul McDonald Robin Beaulieu Jason Baxter Fallon Head Craig Gagnon Johnathon Rice Tony Eetuk |
BC
BC ON ON NB NB MB NFLD NFLD NWT NWT SK YK EDN NU |
| 2000 | Richard Peter
Gina Olsen |
British Columbia
British Columbia |
Richard 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 |
BC
BC NB NB YK YK ON ON NFLD AB AB PEI PEI EDN EDN MB MB NU NU |
| 1999 | Darren Zack | Ontario
Eastern Door & North |
Darren Zack
Julie Hill 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 EDN NB YK YK ? MB SK SK AB AB NS BC |
| 1998 | Dan Calhoon | |||
| 1997 | Bruce Paizen | |||
| 1996 | ||||
| 1995 | Clifford Grieves
Francis X. DeBassiaee |
Manitoba | ||
| 1994 | Ryan Bates
Alanaise O. Ferguson |
Manitoba
Agassiz |
||
| 1993 | ||||
| 1992 | ||||
| 1991 | ||||
| 1990 | ||||
| 1989 | Johnny D. Brisebois | Kahnawake | ||
| 1988 | Mona Jones (First year for "Heroes of our Time" award) | |||
| 1987 | Rick Brant | Tyendenaga Mohawk Territory | Robert Levi
Eleonore Sioui William R. Plain Terry Wayne Bone Willis Vernon Parnell |
Big Cove New Brunswick
Village des Hurons, Wendake Waterloo Winnipeg Prince Rupert |
| 1986 | Suspended (Only 1 Candidate) | Suspended (Only 1 Candidate) | Suspended (Only 1 Candidate) | Suspended (Only 1 Candidate) |
| 1985 | Tom Erasmus | Whitefish Lake Band | Sherri Paul-Bartlett
Doris Henhawk |
Woodstock New Brunswick
Six Nations |
| 1984 | Alwyn Morris | Kahnawkake | ||
| 1983 | Suspended (No Funding) | Suspended (No Funding) | Suspended (No Funding) | Suspended (No Funding) |
| 1982 | Tyler Sunday | St. Regis | Everett Sanipass
Robert Leslie Rice Rochelle Wells Joe Mason |
Big Cove New Brunswick
Parry Island Band Cardstone Dawson City |
| 1981 | Gordon Lee Crowchild | Sarcee Reserve | Simon Marshall
Roger Paul Vicky Rice Terry Albert |
Sydney Nova Scotia
Fredericton New Brunswick Kahnawake Muncey |
| 1980 | Beverly Beaver | Six Nations | ||
| 1979 | Steve Collins | Fort William Reserve | Reginald Llyod Ginnish | Eel Ground |
| 1978 | Carole Polchies | |||
| 1977 | Alwyn Morris | Kahnawake (Chaghnawaga) | ||
| 1976 | Beverly Stranger | Timiskaming Band
Tsawout Band |
Malcolm Constant | James Smith Reserve |
| 1975 | John C. Courchene | Fort Alexander Reserve | Mary Marlene Ward
Roger Vincent John Kelly Malcolm Constant Jacob Wilton Littlechild |
Red Bank New Brunswick
Quebec Ontario James Smith Reserve |
| 1974 | Jacob Wilton Littlechild | Edmonton | Wayne Morris
Robert Atwin Chief Tony Cote Vern Baker Joe Mason |
Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia
Fredericton New Brunswick Chaghnawaga Kamasack Vancouver Yukon Territory |
| 1973 | Raymond Rousselot | Bersimis | Cecil Jacobs
Kenneth Eastman Narcisse Blood Jr. Felix Moses |
Southern Ontario
Pipestone Alberta British Columbia |
| 1972 | Howard Sinclair Anderson | Sioux Lookout | Miss Collette Cimon
Miss Sally Jacob Dwayne Johnson Arnold Wesley Lawrence Crate Clane Anthony Sparvier |
Edmunston New Brunswick
Nemiscan Samson's Band Southern Ontario Manitoba Alberta |
| 1971 | Doug Skead | Northern Ontario | Leonard Francis Michael Paul
Kenneth Kane Harold Wayne Brant Robert Hart James Thomas McKenzie |
Picton Landing Nova Scotia
Chaghnawaga Southern Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan |
| 1970 | Kenneth Joseph Montour | Alberta | Clarence Abraham Smith
Lewis Andrew Deslisle Miss Nellie Trapper William (Bill) Seward, Sr. Harry Clearsky Bruce Dennis Wolfe |
Eskasoni Nova Scotia
Chaghnawaga Moose Factory Band Nanaimo Band Manitoba Saskatchewan |
| 1969 | Bert Mistaken Chief | Blood-Peigan District | Roland Sappier
Ronald Kirby Walter Isbister Stanley Joseph Dwight Smith Miss Rosalind Merrick Derald Dubios |
Tobique New Brunswick
Chaghnawaga Sandy Lake Squamish Quebec Manitoba Saskatchewan |
| 1968 | Phyllis Bomberry | Southern Ontario | Alfred Sanipass
Edward Wolf Child Jr. Arthur Herman Helin Tobil Dick James Daniel Bellegarde |
Big Cove New Brunswick
Blackfoot Band Port Simpson Manitoba Saskatchewan |
| 1967 | Jacob Wilton Littlechild | Hobbema-Ermineskin Band | Arthur Quoquochi
Miss Leona Sparrow Antoine Mountain James Smith Edward Arnold McKenzie |
Pointe Bleue Indian Agency
Vancouver Fort Smith Manitoba Southern Ontario Saskatchewan |
| 1966 | Renson Jamieson | Southern Ontario | Cynthia Paul (now Gabriel)
Charles Patton Omer Goodstriker Stephen Belleau Headley Colon Allan Asapace |
Woodstock New Brunswick
Caughnawaga Cardston Alkali Lake Manitoba Saskatchewan |
| 1965 | George Brown | Queen Charlotte Indian Agency | Jacob Wilton Littlechild
Zaccheus Hamilton Allan Richard Lickers |
Hobbema Indian Agency
Manitoba Southern Ontario |
| 1964 | Gaylord Ross Powless | Southern Ontario | Oscar Kistabish
Nick Breaker Vivian Underwood Grenville Crate Marcel Greyeyes |
Abitibi Agency
Blood Agency Cowichan Agency Manitoba Saskatchewan |
| 1963 | John Lewis | Ontario | Harold PaulGeorge Norton
Melville Baxter Stephen Wadsworth John Douglas White Robert Beaulieu Doctor Garson |
Shubenacadie Nova Scotia
Caughnawaga Nakina Agency Blood Agency Cowichan Agency Fort Smith Agency Manitoba |
| 1962 | Tom Watts | Port Alberni | Winston James Paul
Arthur Quoquochi Samual William Chum Edwin Wells Anderson Pete Hubert Kematch |
St. John River Agency
Abitibi Agency James Bay Agency Blood Agency Saskatchewan Manitoba |
| 1961 | Bruce Bruyere | Northern Ontario | Clarence Smith
Philippe Bazil Hommer Healy Myrna Williams Franklin White Colin Williams Allan Joseph Felix |
Annapolis Valley
Pointe Bleue Blood Band Skidegate Southern Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan |
| 1960 | Arthur Obey | Saskatchewan | Charles Sark
Thadee Andre Leonard Good Eagle Donald Edwards John Lee Stonefish Walter Noel |
Lennox Island Nova Scotia
Seven Islands Blackfoot Agency Lytton Agency Southern Ontario Manitoba |
| 1959 | Walter G. Noel | Manitoba | Alexander Denny
Aurelien Gill Donna Laura Pine Roddy Vincent Tait Dennis Shipman |
Eskasoni Nova Scotia
Pointe Bleue Garden River Skeena River (Southern Ontario |
| 1958 | Randolph Youngman | Blackfoot Agency | Michael V. Francis
Laureat Rock Charles Patrick Faries Teddy Joe Betty Lorraine Jewel Ernest J. Scott Vernon Bellegarde |
Shubenacadie
Bersimis James Bay Vancouver Southern Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan |
| 1957 | George Poitras | Saskatchewan | Reginald Paul
Martin Beardy Glenn Maracle Stanley Wilson Victor Starlight |
Kingsclear
Sioux Lookout Southern Ontario Manitoba Alberta |
| 1956 | Edward Vernon Campbell | Musqueam Band Vancouver | Russell Brooks
Mathieu Labbe Roy Vernon Mainville George Gary Edgar Louis Harper Vernon Bear |
Shubenacadie
Quebec Northern Ontario Southern Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan |
| 1955 | Paul Goulais | Northern Ontario | Walter Paul
Betty Goulais Eddie Soup Lister Isbister George Nepinak |
New Brunswick
Northern Ontario Alberta & Northwest Territories Saskatchewan Manitoba |
| 1954 | Charles Ross Smallface | Alberta & Northwest Territories | Barry Delisle
Edward Kabatay Charles William (Bill) Kinoshameg Gerald Starr Philip Morin |
Quebec
Nova Scotia Northern Ontario Saskatchewan Manitoba |
| 1953 | Edward Kabatay | Sydney Indian Reserve NS | Marven Morris
Frank Wesley Charles Ross Smallface Henry Morriseau Thomas Davey |
Caughnawaga
Lac Seul Alberta & Northwest Territories Saskatchewan Manitoba Southern Ontario |
| 1952 | John Sark | Lennox Island NS | Joseph Two-Rivers
Francis Debassige Leslie Andrew Charles Ross Smallface Peter Sackamoose George Colin Wasacase |
Caughnawaga
Northern Ontario Six Nations British Columbia & NWT Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba |
| 1951 | Frederick Baker | British Columbia & NWT | Wilfred J. Prosper
Ronnie Delisle Henry Wibokamigad Charles Ross Smallface |
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick Northern Ontario Six Nations Alberta Saskatchewan |
References
- ^ "The Tom Longboat Award: National Awards for Aboriginal Excellence in Sport" (PDF). The Aboriginal Sport Circle. 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-01.
- Robson, Dan (2017-07-04). "The powerful legacy of Canadian running legend Tom Longboat". Sportsnet. Retrieved 2017-11-01.
- Petten, Cheryl. (April 2002). "Best of the best". Ontario Birchbark. 1: 9 – via Proquest.
- Forsyth, Janice (Feb 9, 2015). "Make the Indian Understand his Place: Politics and the Establishment of the Tom Longboat Awards at Indian Affairs and the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada". Sport in History. 35 (2): 241–270. doi:10.1080/17460263.2015.1008561.
- Kidd, Dr. Bruce. "Honouring the Tom Longboat Legacy". Aboriginal Sport Circle. Retrieved 2017-11-01.
- Stewart, J.D.M (2008-07-01). "Honouring our aboriginal sons and daughters". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2017-11-01.
- ^ Windspeaker Staff (2009). "Tom Longboat Award Recipients Being Sought Out". Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- Forsyth, Janice Margaret (2005). The power to define: A history of the Tom Longboat Awards, 1951–2001. University of Western Ontario. pp. iii.
- ^ Forsyth, Janice (2005). "List of Regional(R) and National(N) "Tom Longboat" recipients 1951-2001" (PDF). Aboriginal Sports Circle. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- "Curler Einarson named a 2021 Tom Longboat Award recipient". inside the games. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-28.
- ^ "Awards | Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council Inc". www.masrc.com. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- "Aboriginal Sport Circle announces the Tom Longboat and Coaching Awards Recipients". NationTalk. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- "Tom Longboat award winner recognized for hoop prowess | Windspeaker - AMMSA". www.ammsa.com. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- "Aboriginal Sport Circle announces 2008 Tom Longboat Athlete and National Aboriginal Coaching award recipients". NationTalk. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- ^ "Tom Longboat Award : Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle". www.asrcnl.ca. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- "Lightening strikes twice at Thunder Bay school | Windspeaker - AMMSA". www.ammsa.com. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- "Top athletes receive Tom Longboat award". Windspeaker. 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- "Whitehorse Daily Star: Trotter, Vance nominated for national athlete awards". Whitehorse Daily Star. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- "Longboat Award honours Aboriginal athletes. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- "Longboat awards announced | Windspeaker - AMMSA". www.ammsa.com. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- "Regional, national Tom Longboat winners named | Windspeaker - AMMSA". www.ammsa.com. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- Laskaris, Sam (2005). "National Longboat awards announced". Windspeaker. 23: 18.
- "Ontario Tom Longboat Award winners named | Windspeaker - AMMSA". www.ammsa.com. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- "Tom Longboat awards presented | Windspeaker - AMMSA". www.ammsa.com. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- "Tootoo captures Tom Longboat award". Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- "Award recipients serve as role models". Windspeaker. 2002. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- King, C. Richard (2004). Native Americans in sports. Armonk, N.Y.: Sharpe Reference. ISBN 978-0765680549.