June marks National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to explore and appreciate the distinct cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It's also a moment to celebrate the stories, achievements, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have inhabited this land for countless generations and whose presence continues to shape Canada's ongoing development.
This Month – and all year long – we celebrate the inspiring achievements of Special Olympics athletes across Canada with Indigenous heritage, including accomplished athletes like Owen Munroe, Tyrine Flukinger and Jolyn Watts.
Owen Munroe, Special Olympics Yukon
Special Olympics Yukon cross-country skier Owen Munroe is a proud member of the Kaska First Nation and has been a Special Olympics athlete for an impressive 20 years.
In 2014, Owen had the honour of carving the Torch used for the Yukon Law Enforcement Torch Run, a symbolic gesture that proudly showcased his Indigenous heritage. This Torch continues to hold significance within Special Olympics Yukon, serving as a lasting tribute to Owen's enduring spirit and cultural pride.
Owen’s dedication to his sport has taken him to the national stage nine times. Owen recently participated in the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary, where he dedicated himself to intense endurance training for competition in cross-country skiing. He candidly shared that he was focused on improving his conditioning after he struggled with the hills at an earlier qualifying competition in Yukon.
“Those hills were like 140m – that’s a really high climb. I struggled with them so I was a little worried about the hills in Calgary. But now that I’m here in Calgary, these hills are only about 10m, so I think us Yukoners are well prepared,” he shared ahead of competition.
Owen’s dedication to his training paid off as he took home three medals during the Games.
Tyrine Flukinger, Special Olympics BC
Tyrine Flukinger is a proud Métis First Nations member and an exceptional athlete from Special Olympics British Columbia. Tyrine was part of Canada’s first all-female basketball team competing at the Special Olympics World Games 2023 in Berlin, where she proudly showcased her skills. With eight years of involvement in Special Olympics, Tyrine feels she has found a place where she belongs and has embraced a healthier lifestyle. Tyrine enjoys "competition, meeting new people, and being social." One of her proudest moments was "when I helped one of my teammates who had never got a basket. She got her first basket, and it was the winning point. Her smile was glorious. She lit up the whole gym."
Reflecting on her experience, Tyrine said, “I find it pretty cool to be part of the first women’s basketball team going to World Games. I think that’s pretty honorable. Being a First Nations Métis Black woman, I think it’s cool to be part of a diverse women’s team!”
Jolyn Watts, Special Olympics BC
Jolyn Watts is a dedicated athlete from Special Olympics BC – Port Alberni, and a proud Tseshaht First Nation Member.
With 21 years of involvement in Special Olympics, Jolyn competed with pride in Athletics at the Special Olympics World Games 2023 in Berlin. This international debut was a momentous occasion for Jolyn, as she felt "proud, excited, and happy" to be representing Canada.
In addition to her skills in athletics, Jolyn is also an accomplished swimmer, known for her endurance in long-distance races where her dedication and upbeat spirit are praised by her coach. Special Olympics has significantly impacted her life, as she explains, "it has allowed me to become more social, make new friends, travel, and try new activities."
Throughout this month and beyond, we draw inspiration from remarkable individuals like Owen, Tyrine and Jolyn. Their stories remind us of the transformative power of sport to foster inclusivity, bridge cultural divides and inspire a brighter future for all.
Resources for Continued Learning
We encourage you to take some time to learn more about Indigenous heritage, as well as our collective past.
Read Books by Indigenous Authors
Special Olympics Canada’s Commitment to Indigenous Inclusion and Partnership
At Special Olympics Canada, we recognize the importance of building meaningful and enduring relationships with Indigenous communities across the country. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the transformative power of sport. We have already taken steps to promote Indigenous inclusion within our organization and are dedicated to building on this foundation.
We are currently in the beginning phases of this important work. As an organization, we acknowledge that we have much to learn. This journey requires listening, understanding and adapting. We are dedicated to this ongoing process and are committed to making long-term investments to support it.
We are committed to investing time, learning and expertise in the following key areas:
•Building Long-Lasting Relationships with Indigenous Partners: We aim to establish and nurture partnerships with Indigenous communities, organizations and leaders to ensure that our programs are accessible and relevant to Indigenous athletes, coaches and families. These relationships will be built on mutual respect, trust and a shared vision of inclusivity.
• Implementing Organizational Training, Education, and Awareness: We understand that to serve Indigenous communities effectively, we must first educate ourselves. We are dedicated to implementing comprehensive training programs for staff, coaches and volunteers that will enhance our understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories and perspectives. This training will influence our approach to programs, prioritizing cultural sensitivity and respect.
• Incorporating a Cultural Lens into Resources: We are in the process of reviewing and updating our existing resources, while developing new ones with a cultural lens that reflects the diverse Indigenous communities we aim to serve.
We know that true inclusion is a continuous journey, and we are prepared to walk this path with our Indigenous partners, guided by their knowledge and experiences.
Together, we will work towards creating a more inclusive Canada for all.