4 First Nations athletes become inaugural Nikanus Red Dress Leadership Award winners

Four First Nations youth were announced this week as the winners of the new Nikanus Red Dress Leadership award, which recognizes leaders in sports, community and culture in Atlantic Canada.

Erin Denny, Allison (Ally) Martin, Angelina Taylor and Kennah Brant are the inaugural winners of the award, which was formed in partnership with the 2023 North American Indigenous Games and the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund.

Nikanus is the Mi'kmaw word for youth ambassador.  

"It's a huge honour, especially to be included with the other three talented women who also won the award," said Brant, 16, a multi-sport athlete.

Brant, who is Kanien'kehá:ka from the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte in Ontario, lives in Summerside, P.E.I. and competes in track and field, soccer and hockey. She said sports are an empowering outlet.

"When I'm competing, I'm representing my people and I show their determination and I show their power," said Brant.

Ryan Francis, chair and founder of the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund, said the award is meant to honour the athletes' stories.

"It gives recognition to these young women that understand how sport, community and culture are all interconnected and that was really important to us," said Francis.

The four winners each receive $1,027 for educational purposes. The amount honours Jana Headrick, a former University of New Brunswick women's hockey player from Garden River First Nation in Ontario, who wore jersey number 27 and inspired the award with her commitment to Indigenous youth. 

Denny, a forward for the women's hockey team at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, said she hopes the award encourages other young Indigenous athletes.

"To see all these girls, Indigenous girls, coming into the sport and keeping