Local Special Olympian Jesse Shade was one of 12 recipients of the first ever Premiers Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sports awards this year.
Shade swims with Special Olympics, the Killer Whales and the Salmon Kings.
He represented Team BC at the North American Indigenous Games in July of 2014 in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Shade was one of 77 nominations and was the only recipient from Vancouver Island.
The Premier’s Awards for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport recognizes athletes who have achieved excellence in performance sport, are regarded for their leadership qualities, are committed to pursuing a higher education, and are recognized as community role models both on and off the field of play.
All nominees were 25 years old and under and training and competing in performance sport.
