The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council, as well as the Aboriginal Sports Circle, are pleased to announce that the 2022 Tom Longboat Award winners have been announced! 

The Tom Longboat Awards were established in 1951 to recognize Aboriginal athletes for their outstanding contributions to sport in Canada. With a few exceptions, the Awards have been given out every year since its inauguration. It remains the longest standing and one of the most prestigious awards for the Aboriginal athletes in the country.

Leah Miller (Winnipeg, Pimicikamak Cree Nation) and Connor Church (Winnipeg, Metis) have been selected as this year’s award winners! 

Leah Miller, Rowing

Leah is began her season by winning the small boat trials for junior team selection West. She was eventually selected for Junior Team Canada, and had the opportunity to race at the Junior World Championships in Varese, Italy.

She came home from Worlds and competed at the Canada Summer Games with Team Manitoba. Now, she is continuing her education at the University of Michigan while competing on their varsity women’s rowing team. 

Connor Church, Wrestling

In May, Connor Church participated in the 2022 Canadian National Wrestling Trials in Edmonton and competed in the Junior Freestyle 79 kg category.

Connor then attended the U20 Pan American Championship, which includes wrestlers from the United States, Brazil, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and many other countries competing for the gold. Church went 2-2 in his round robin and earned a bronze medal.

Congrats Leah and Connor on your achievements!