N.W.T. wrestler in AWG credits pan-northern program for building confidence

Because of wrestling, Hannah Bekale says she's learned discipline, confidence and met lots of new people. 

Bekale, 15, from Gamètı̀, N.W.T. is competing in the Arctic Winter Games. No matter how she does, she says she's proud of herself for overcoming her shyness, meeting the challenge of travelling to a new place and giving her all on the mat. 

"I did what I need to do, I came here for what I need to do and I'm very proud of myself for that," she said. 

Bekale is a participant in a pan-northern program using wrestling as a vehicle for mental and physical health. 

Monique Smith, a school counsellor in Gamètı̀ and Wekweètì and a former varsity wrestler, is building the program and calling it Team North.

Her goal is to create a mentorship network where athletes feel connected to each other and see themselves represented by more experienced competitors.  

Loryn Evans-Muswagon has been that mentor for Bekale. 

Last year, Bekale attended a wrestling camp in Calgary that Smith was helping facilitate.  

Bekale said she felt scared and out of place. 

"I felt like I was the only res kid there," she said.

Evans-Muswagon, Cree from northern Manitoba, was also coaching at the camp and Smith suggested she do some training with Bekale. 

"Afterwards I asked Hannah, I said 'how was that for you and Loryn?' " Smith said, "and Hannah said something to the effect of, 'good, she looks like me.' "   

Evans-Muswagon now lives in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut and is an AWG coach for Nunavut's wrestling team. 

As an Indigenous woman in wrestling, she said she wants to be the representation she was missing as a young athlete. 

"You don't know that Indigenous people can be in these roles and be in these positions and when you do see it and you can