Three South Okanagan athletes are set to recieve this year害羞草研究所檚 Premier害羞草研究所檚 Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport.

Meadow Arcand-Squakin (lacrosse, Syilx and Nehiyaw), Danica Maynard (hockey, M茅tis Nation) and Preston Gabriel (hockey, Okanagan Nation) represent three of the six Interior-based athletes to be honoured in 2024.

The trio is among the 36 athletes from across B.C. to be handed regional Premier害羞草研究所檚 Awards.

害羞草研究所淚 would like to offer my heartiest congratulations to all 36 regional finalists for this year害羞草研究所檚 Premier害羞草研究所檚 Awards Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sports,害羞草研究所� said Premier David Eby. 害羞草研究所淵ou害羞草研究所檝e worked hard, you害羞草研究所檝e trained hard, and you害羞草研究所檝e earned this recognition. You害羞草研究所檙e the future leaders of your communities. I know you have great contributions to make on and off the field of play.害羞草研究所�

Arcand-Squakin has played her sport out of the Penticton Minor Lacrosse Association.

In a video released by the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I路SPARC), Arcand-Squakin was praised for giving back the sport locally and volunteering as a coach for her fellow lacrosse youth.

Maynard is from Osoyoos but now plays out of Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 RINK Hockey Academy.

The defender, 17, was recently in Grand Prairie, Alta., to play for Team BC at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

Gabriel, an Oliver-based hockey player, also suited up for the province at the national championships.

The hockey duo were once teammates at the Penticton-based Okanagan Hockey Academy.

I路SPARC, in collaboration with the B.C. government, launched a regional nomination process in late 2023 and received entries from six regions (Fraser, Interior, Northeast, Northwest, Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver Island).

Applications were open to Indigenous athletes 25 years of age and younger.