Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/79266
AUGUST 2012 • PAGE 17 2012 MASRC/2002 NAIG Legacy Scholarships BY MARTIN ZEILIG Alyssa Le Fort-Lynx, a winner of a 2012 MASRC – 2002 NAIG Legacy Scholarship, insists that taekwondo (Korean martial arts) is more than just a sport for her. The 2002 NAIG Legacy Scholarships were created through the generosity of are the 2002 North American Indigenous Games Legacies, says information provided by the Manitoba Ab- original Sport & Recreation Council. The Athlete Scholarships awarded yearly to Aboriginal athletes in Manitoba who have shown athletic leadership in Manitoba's amateur sport community through well rounded participation as an athlete, as well as on aca- demic standing, and other school and commu- nity related activities. Le Fort-Lynx, 18, who hails from Tootinaowa- ziibeeng First Nation (near the town of Dauphin, some 321 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg by road), was one of 15 student-athletes from throughout Manitoba awarded the $500 NAIG Legacy Scholarships. There are also Coach Scholarships award- ed yearly to two Aboriginal coaches in Mani- toba "who have shown outstanding coaching leadership in Manitoba's amateur sport com- munity, as well as on academic standing and other school and community related activities," says Mel Whitesell, Executive Director of the MASRC. "Taekwondo is my lifestyle," says Le Fort- Lynx, a recent "straight A" graduate of Elmwood High School, during an interview at Kang's Academy on King Edward Street on hot day in late June. "All the various aspects I learn in taekwon- do, I apply to my daily life." Grand Master King Kang, chief instructor at the Academy, observes that Le Fort-Lynx, who used to play basketball and football, has com- peted in the junior national taekwondo cham- pionships. "She's committed (to the sport) and trains six days a week for two to three hours each night af- ter school," he says, adding that he also trained former two time Canadian Olympian Dominque Bosshart, who won the bronze medal in women's taekwondo at the 2004 Olympic Games Greece. "She was select- ed our member of the year three times. This year, she was nominated again." Grand LE FORT-LYNX ALYSSA Master Kang also mentions that Le Fort-Lynx has been studying taekwondo for eight years now, and has achieved a fourth degree black belt. Le Fort-Lynx won the 2011 Junior Na- tional Championship terweight that was held in Win- nipeg. "She has a great attitude, and is dedi- cated to whatever she does," he says of the modest Le Fort-Lynx, who also does volunteer work for the Kids for Sports Fundraiser (organized by Kangs) – a program created to help children and youths overcome social and economic ob- stacles that prevent young people from partici- pating in organized sport. Le Fort-Lynx credits Grand Master Kang for much of her success. "He told me four years ago to set my goals, know my priorities, and to sacrifice in order to achieve those goals," she says. "I've never forgotten that." Le Fort-Lynx admits that Kang's words of wisdom and encouragement have helped get RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SURVIVORS Rights KNOW YOUR Email: frank@alghoul-law.ca 200 – 286 Smith St. Winnipeg MB, R3C 1K4 Deadline Approaching IAP application September 19th, 2012 For a Free Consultation or Workshop... Clients keep 100% of their settlement Call Toll Free 1-877-378-4487 ALGHOUL & ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS Taekwondo (wel- division) in Athens, in sports and live a healthy lifestyle," says the lithe, soft spoken young woman, adding that she also gets good support from her family. "My goal is to live a successful life. My goal in taekwondo is to be named assistant instruc- tor here at headquarters. Right now, I've been in an assistant instructor's program for three years." In September, Le Fort-Lynx will be enrolling at the University of Winnipeg to study kinesiol- ogy. "I'm really excited about going to university and continuing my education. My ultimate goal is to own my physiotherapy practice," says Le Fort-Lynx, who also works part time at a Tim Horton's Restaurant. She's a winner all the way. The other winners of 2012 MASRC – 2002 her through some tough spots in her training and life. She also praises Chief Dennis Cameron of her home reserve for his encouragement. "He motivates youth like me to not only pursue our goals, but to also educational participate NAIG Legacy Scholarships are Bailee Goodon, Hockey, Boissevain; Braedan Boschman, Vol- leyball, Cross Lake; Breanna Rae, Hockey, Lundar, Bruce Muswagon, Multi Sport, Nor- way House Cree Nation; Chanelle Arthurson, Multi Sport, Fox Lake Cree Nation; Julie Desrochers, Hockey, Winnipeg; Kiinnan Stevenson-French, Multi Sport, Peguis First Nation; Michael Still, Football/ Track, Winnipeg; Morgan Cordell, Multi Sport; Tataskweyak Cree Na- tion; Shaquille Merasty, Hockey, Berens River First Nation; So- phie Moquin, Hockey, La Bro- querie; Taina Kaartinen, Multi Sport,Eriksdale; Tyler Robinson, Football, Roseau River First Na- tion; Zachery Penner; Ultimate/ Hockey,Winnipeg. 2012 Coach Scholarships (in the amount of $500) are awarded to: Jon-Ross Merasty-Moose O- Pipon-Na-Piwan Nation, Cree ball); Matt Zeiler, Dauphin, Rugby) (Basket- (Football/