Fort McKay archer Tayden Shott goals for gold, moose after victory at NAIG 2023

Tayden Shott realized archery as a baby and as he received older, he grew to become fascinated with bow looking. It seems Shott is an effective shot, and the 15-year-old archer can show it along with his newest gold medal from the North American Indigenous Video games (NAIG) in Nova Scotia.

Shott competed within the 16U Male compound class for 3D Archery, defeating 21 different athletes from throughout Canada, New Mexico and Colorado. It’s the largest competitors that Shott has attended. The Fort McKay First Nation and Fort McKay Group of Corporations sponsored him.

“It feels fairly good. I used to be attempting to make my household and the Fort McKay First Nation proud,” Shott stated in an interview. “I used to be relaxed. I calm down a unique type of approach, I’ve enjoyable to calm down. Lots of people like blocking noise once they shoot however I choose folks making noises once I shoot. I don’t know, I’m simply completely different.”

About 5,000 athletes from greater than 750 Indigenous nations who competed in 16 sports activities at NAIG earlier this month. Workforce Alberta completed fourth on the medal desk with 26 gold medals, 27 silver medals and 28 bronze medals.

Shott has participated in competitions for greater than two years. Shott took house silver on the Alberta 3D Goal Provincials and gained gold on the 2022 Alberta Indigenous Video games. He completed fourth on the 2023 Arctic Winter Video games in Fort McMurray.

He’s going to a different competitors in Spruce Grove later this summer time. At house, he hunts along with his good friend and coach, Daniel Newton. The biggest animal he’s hunted with a bow is a grouse. His objective is to hunt a moose.

“A lot of Indigenous folks used archery for looking and to outlive again within the day, however now I simply love to do it for enjoyable and to hunt,” he stated.

There are restricted archery amenities in Fort McMurray Wooden Buffalo and few competitions come to the area. The 2023 Arctic Winter Video games proved the game may be hosted right here after internet hosting competitions at Shell Place. There’s additionally a small archery vary on the Fort McMurray Fish and Recreation Affiliation.

Lolita Ladouceur, Shott’s mom and the First Nation’s supervisor of neighborhood growth, stated the First Nation is engaged on creating an archery program in the neighborhood.

Shott says anybody fascinated with archery ought to contemplate the game and there are many sources on-line.

“Additionally, simply have enjoyable,” he stated.

Native athlete Kayla Giroux, 15, additionally gained gold at NAIG. Giroux was a part of Workforce Alberta’s 16U feminine basketball staff that went undefeated through the occasion.

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vmcdermott@postmedia.com

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