Epekwitk (PEI) – Two Island athletes, George Woods and Kate Coade, have been named regional recipients of this year’s Tom Longboat Awards, one of the highest honours in Indigenous sport in Canada. The awards were presented at the National Indigenous Sports Gala held October 24, 2026, in Ottawa, Ontario. The Gala is hosted by the Aboriginal Sport Circle Canada.
George Woods was named the 2026 PEI Regional Male recipient.
George Woods is a Citizen of the Métis Nation in Alberta and lives in Kensington, PEI. The 18-year-old is a multi-sport athlete whose accomplishments span basketball, badminton, soccer, rugby, track and field and cross-country running. He has been named a high school basketball MVP, competed for Team PEI in badminton at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games and earned recognition for sportsmanship, dedication and improvement across several sports. George is also actively involved in coaching youth in his community.
“Sport has always been a huge part of my life. Through both playing and coaching, it’s helped shape who I am today. Receiving the Tom Longboat Regional Award means a lot – it inspires me to stay involved in sport and makes my commitment to giving back to my community even more meaningful,” says George Woods.
“I think my great-grandmother would be really proud to see me reconnecting with my culture, because it wasn’t always something that was openly celebrated. It’s pretty cool to see my culture and my love of sport come together and be recognized in this way.”
Kate Coade was named the 2026 PEI Regional Female recipient.
Kate Coade, is a member of Abegweit First Nation and lives in Rocky Point, PEI. The 15-year-old Mi’kmaw athlete captained her Mid-Isle Wildcats U15AA hockey team to the 2026 PEI provincial championship. Kate also competes in soccer, softball, and dance, and was selected for the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Forum for Young Canadians. Active in her community, Kate has used speaking and dance to share Mi’kmaw culture with her peers.
Each year, the Gala brings together Indigenous athletes, coaches, leaders, families and partners from across the country to celebrate the past, present, and future achievements of Indigenous athletes and coaches. The awards provide a forum for acknowledging the growth and strength of the Indigenous sport movement in Canada and its tremendous impact on sport development, from community-level participation to elite competition.
George and Kate, along with their families attended the Gala to accept this prestigious award.
“Being here to celebrate alongside my family, and so many inspiring Indigenous athletes from across the country is an incredibly meaningful experience,” says Kate Coade. “Sport has had a huge impact on my life. It’s created amazing opportunities and brought so many people into my life. I’m incredibly proud and honoured to represent my Island, my First Nation and the community that has helped shape who I am.”
The Tom Longboat Awards recognize young athletes who demonstrate excellence and leadership in sport, academics, community involvement, and culture. Both George and Kate exemplify these qualities, making them well-deserving recipients of this recognition.
Both PEI’s recipients are currently pursuing their education, with George attending the University of New Brunswick and Kate studying at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire.
“I know how meaningful it is for these young Indigenous athletes to be recognized for their accomplishments and the positive impact they have on their communities,” says Kateri Coade, Executive Director of MCPEI. “Both these individuals are incredibly deserving of this honour and serve as wonderful role models for youth across Epekwitk.”
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About the Tom Longboat Awards
Established in 1951, the Tom Longboat Awards recognize Indigenous athletes for their outstanding contributions to sport in Canada. They remain the longest-standing and one of the most prestigious awards for Indigenous athletes in the country.
The awards are named in honour of Tom Longboat, one of Canada’s greatest long-distance runners. A member of Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario, Longboat won the Boston Marathon in 1907 and competed in the marathon at the 1908 Summer Olympics.
To learn more about the Gala and the Tom Longboat Awards, visit www.aboriginalsportcircle.ca.
About the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI (MCPEI):
The Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI is dedicated to supporting an empowered Mi’kmaq and Indigenous community in their journey towards self-determination. Our mission is to respond, collaborate and evolve with community needs through advisory services and shared programs, including the Indigenous Sport Circle PEI which supports the development and delivery of sport, recreation, and physical activity for Indigenous youth living in Epekwitk (PEI).
Learn more about the Indigenous Sport Circle PEI, visit: mcpei.ca/program/aboriginal-sport-circle/
Media Contact:
Julie Jones
Communications Officer
Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI
902-388-5334