Apollo Hess of Kainai Nation has been awarded the Tom Longboat Award. Photo via Aboriginal Sport Circle Facebook
An athlete from southern Alberta has been awarded the Tom Longboat Award.
The Tom Longboat Awards were established in 1951 and recognize Indigenous athletes for their outstanding contributions to sport in Canada.
This award is the longest standing, and one of the most prestigious awards for Indigenous athletes in the country.
The award is part of the Aboriginal Sport Circle, and it provides a forum that acknowledges the growth and strength of the Indigenous sport movement in Canada, as well as it’s impact on sport development.
This year, the award was presented to Apollo Hess from Kainai Nation, who is the first athlete from that nation to compete at the Olympics.
Hess is a 3-time U SPORTS National Champion and national record holder for the 50m breaststroke.
On top of that, Hess’ name will go down in history as the first Indigenous swimmer to represent Canada at the Olympic Games.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Hess helped Team Canada secure 5th-place in the 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay.
Hess was also inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletes Hall of Fame this year.
The Aboriginal Sport Circle posted to Facebook, acknowledging Hess’ accomplishments.
“An inductee into the North American Indigenous Athletes Hall of Fame and recipient of the 2025 Team Canada Indigenous Athlete Award, Apollo Hess is not just making waves, he’s making history, redefining what’s possible for Indigenous athletes in Canada and beyond,” the post read.
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