Athletes gather to celebrate sport leaders past and future

Athletic achievements and decades of contributions to NWT sport were honoured at the 2026 Sport North Awards, which were held alongside NWT Sports Hall of Fame inductions for the first time.

Ten awards were handed out during the Saturday night ceremony, and three people were inducted into the NWT Sports Hall of Fame.

The first NWT Sport Hall of Fame inductee of the night was Jeannie Mathison who founded the Crush Volleyball Club and has played a significant role in growing volleyball in the NWT over the past 23 years.

She was also the head coach for Team NT’s indoor and beach volleyball teams at the Canada Summer Games, and athletes she’s coached have gone on to play at the university and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association levels.

As Mathison accepted her award, she said “it’s awkward to receive an award for something I love doing – I started with what I was good at, making rules, spreadsheets.”

She recognized the role her husband and children had all played in growing the volleyball community in the NWT.

“It’s been so nice to do this as a family. It’s brought us closer. My husband and I have gotten to spend so much time growing up with our kids and their friends, and that has made it even more special,” said Mathison.

Paul Gard, a softball athlete who moved from London, Ontario, to Yellowknife as a kid, was also inducted into the NWT Sport Hall of Fame.

Serving on the NWT Softball board for more than 30 years, Gard has made significant contributions to younger athletes and was a member of the Canpitch pilot project.

Being inducted alongside Mathison, who on occasion is Gard’s boss, was “exciting and special.”

“I didn’t get into the national level – but just the experiences I’ve got from getting into softball and working with the youth is truly exciting,” Gard said.

‘Get your education and listen to your mom’

The final inductee of the night was Robert Beaulieu, a member of the Salt River First Nation and former hockey player for the University of Calgary Dinos and University of Alberta Golden Bears. 

As an athlete, Beaulieu received the Tom Longboat Award, was selected for the 1967 Canada Winter Games NWT men’s hockey team, and was named to Canada West University Athletes’ First All-Star team as a defenceman.

“Get your education and listen to your mom, and don’t be like me, do your homework,” said Beaulieu.

In a press release, the Dene Nation congratulated Beaulieu and all Sport North award recipients.

Dene National Chief George Mackenzie described Beaulieu as “a beacon of inspiration” whose achievements “serve as a powerful reminder of the potential within our communities.”

“Robert Beaulieau embodies the spirit of resilience and excellence that defines the Dene people,” Mackenzie stated.

“His contributions to sports have paved the way for future generations, and his legacy will continue to inspire young athletes across our nation. We are very proud of his accomplishments and the positive impact he has made on our community.”

At Saturday evening’s ceremony, Abigail Arey won the Youth Female Athlete of the Year award for her accomplishments at the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, including winning gold ulus in stick pull, snow snake, finger pull and all-around U18 female.

Yuma McEachern, who took home a gold ulu and broke a record in speed skating at the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, was named the Youth Male Athlete of the Year. He was described by his coach as a speed skater who broke “every record he stepped on the ice for.”

McEachern emphasized that without his brother Seiya’s previous accomplishments, he wouldn’t have been able to achieve what he has this year.

“I’m grateful to him. When he set the records, it showed me what was possible, because the records weren’t something I thought of until he broke them. He gave me something to chase,” said McEachern.

Junior Female Athlete of the Year was awarded to twin sisters Mia and Kaylie Locke-Setter. While the pair weren’t able to attend Saturday’s ceremony, they were described as being “extremely dedicated” to basketball.

Junior Male Athlete of the Year Logan Doll also couldn’t attend the awards, but was recognized for his significant results in multiple sports like squash, tennis and snowshoeing.

Mali Straker, currently competing in the Maritime Women’s Basketball League for St.Francis Xavier University, won the Mary Beth Miller Senior Female Athlete of the Year.

Team Wainman from Inuvik was awarded Team of the Year. The curling team is skipped by Reese Wainman and includes Emellia Maring, Hayden Smith and Brooke Smith.

Coach of the Year went to John Stanley while the Dennis Crane Memorial Official of the Year was awarded to Ioannis Labrakis.

Robin Greig won the Ruth Inch Memorial Contributor to Sport award and Summit Air was recognized as the Corporate Contributor of the Year.