Kahnawà:ke teen's success goes beyond paddling medals at North American Indigenous Games

Rotshennón:ni Two-Axe's hard work and dedication have paid off in more ways than one this summer.

The 19-year-old, who was chosen as the flag-bearer for Team Eastern Door and the North at opening ceremonies of the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Halifax, also dominated as a paddler, collecting three gold medals and three silver.

He's come off a stellar academic year that saw him earn a prestigious scholarship to start medical studies at McGill University in Montreal.

He says other Indigenous kids can follow his path, if that's what they aspire to.

"There's plenty of obstacles, plenty of challenges, but we're all capable,' said Two-Axe.

Two-Axe competed in six races total in the canoe and kayak sports in the U19 male category. He has been paddling since he was eight but spent the last few years — since the last NAIG were postponed back in 2020 — training hard with the Onake Paddling Club.

"We've been on the water pretty much every summer [and] doing off-water training throughout the off-season leading up to the games," said Two-Axe. "A lot of time and effort was put into just getting here and being able to prepare for the race."

Two-Axe won 3 gold and 3 silver medals.

His father, Kurt Two-Axe, welled up when he watched Rotshennón:ni cross the finish line on July 18. 

It was a "very proud moment … You could hear all our family cheering from that side," he said, pointing to the other side of the lake.

Kurt Two-Axe says the Onake paddlers' determination throughout their training was impressive.

"They work in the rain, they work non-stop these guys." 

His son's drive appears to have translated into his academic work as well.

Rotshennón:ni Two-Axe recently won the Provost's Indigenous Achievement Award, which is