Tymeko Collinson, a rising star from Haida Gwaii, has been awarded the prestigious Premier’s Award, a recognition that celebrates outstanding achievements in Indigenous sport and community leadership across British Columbia.
In late 2023, the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC), in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia, launched the regional nomination process for the Premier’s Awards.
This initiative sought to recognize Indigenous athletes under 25 who have excelled in performance sports, demonstrated a strong commitment to education and culture, and promoted healthy and active lifestyles within their communities. Nominations were gathered from each of I·SPARC’s six regions: Fraser, Interior, Northeast, Northwest, Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver Island.
Out of numerous nominations, Collinson emerged as one of the 36 regional recipients. Her dedication and achievements were further recognized when she was selected as one of the ten provincial recipients of the 2023 Premier’s Award. This honour highlights her dedication to sport and community and ensures her legacy will be preserved, as her photo and biography will be featured in the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Collinson competed with Team BC at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games in Halifax, where she earned a silver medal. Looking back on the experience, Collinson said, “The most unforgettable moment was reaching the finals. The competition was fierce, the game was incredibly close, but we made history as the first Team BC, male or female, to win a medal in beach volleyball.”
Reflecting on her achievement, Collinson said, “Winning the Premier Award for Indigenous Excellence in Sport, Education, and Leadership, and then being selected out of the regional winners as one of the top ten provincial recipients, is truly humbling. I hope this opens the door for all the young kids on Haida Gwaii, showing them that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible.”
Collinson’s journey has been marked by perseverance and a deep commitment to her community. Growing up in an isolated area like Haida Gwaii posed unique challenges, such as the high costs associated with travelling off-island for camps and tournaments.
“Getting placed into the BC Sports Hall of Fame was overwhelming,” Collinson said. “Living in a remote area like Haida Gwaii comes with its own set of challenges. Without fundraising efforts, opportunities like this wouldn’t be possible.”
The ten provincial recipients, including Collinson, will each receive a $500 bursary and a framed limited edition Premier’s Award print crafted by renowned First Nations artist Carey Newman.
Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, praised the awardees. In a statement, Popham said, “I’m so proud of this year’s recipients who have shined in their community with incredible commitment to sport and strong dedication to education, culture, and community. I congratulate them on this high honour and commend them for being outstanding examples for others, inspiring the next generation of athletes and leaders.”
Premier David Eby also extended his congratulations in a press release, noting, “Congratulations to these outstanding athletes. After all your hard work in training and competition, you have proven yourselves deserving of this award. You are leaders on the field of play and in your community. I cannot wait to see what you achieve in the future. All of B.C. is cheering you on!”
The ceremony was presented from the BC Sports Hall of Fame in the Indigenous Sport Gallery, further highlighting the importance of these awards in recognizing the achievements of Indigenous athletes like Tymeko Collinson.
Expressing her gratitude, Collinson said, “I am so grateful for my dad. He taught me hard work and gave me a love for sports. He coached all our basketball teams—some years, he coached four teams, including junior and senior high school teams, and our All Native Junior and Women’s team for the last ten years. I also want to thank all the volunteers who coached our Girl’s Volleyball teams, like Katrina Husband, Megan Romas, and Katie McKee, as well as Alissa MacMullin from Haida Gwaii Rec.”