Celebrating National Indigenous History Month

This National Indigenous History Month – and all year long – we celebrate the inspiring achievements of Special Olympics athletes across Canada with Indigenous heritage, including accomplished Special Olympics British Columbia athlete, Arianna Phillips! Arianna is Snuneymuxw and Teeshaht and is a member of Snuneymuxw First Nations. She is also a multi-sport athlete known for her passionate pursuit of personal bests.

It all started with Tee-Ball and figure skating at 4-years-old. Now 18, Arianna has traveled the globe and has brought home gold, silver and bronze medals from competition at the provincial, national and world stage.

"Special Olympics gives athletes like me a chance to do our best, at our own personal level. When I beat my personal best, I collapsed to the ground with tears because I was so happy," Arianna shares.

Watch Arianna's Highlight Reel 

The 2020 Special Olympics National Winter Games were held in Thunder Bay, a city built on the traditional territory of Fort William First Nation.

To begin the Opening Ceremonies, Elder Sam Achneepineskum of Marten Falls First Nation took to the stage to share a reading with the more than 1,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers and spectators in attendance. He then welcomed the Thunder Mountain Singers & The First Nation Dancers to the stage as the first performance of the night, setting a tone of celebration, unity and integrity for the following Games.

This #NationalIndigenousHistoryMonth, we celebrate our Special Olympics community members with Indigenous heritage and honor the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada.