Challenger has long been a proud supporter of youth sports, including baseball and hockey teams in Carmacks, Yukon. We would like to congratulate George Skookum on this well-deserved recognition of his volunteer service.
Through our Whitehorse office, we have sponsored the youth baseball team ('Carmacks Challengers') and the Nighthawks hockey team, in large part due to our respect for their coach. It started with a young baseball team that was going to the North American Indigenous Games in Regina in 2014 and has continued over successive years. As the youth took up hockey, we have supported their participation in the Yukon Native Hockey Tournament and recently assisted with the purchase of new jerseys in 2019.
George is a dedicated community leader, who is committed to providing opportunities for the youth in his community.
The Honourable Angélique Bernard, Commissioner of Yukon presented George Skookum with the Commissioner’s Award for his volunteer service during the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Whitehorse on May 8, 2019, at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre during the Coaches’ Reception.
George was nominated by Marilyn Lawrence and Andrew Glada for his decades-long dedication to coaching youth baseball and hockey in Carmacks. His volunteer efforts have included coordinating travel to tournaments outside Yukon and driving players to games in Whitehorse.
George was surrounded by the youth he has mentored and his family and friends during the award presentation.
It is my pleasure to hand out this award to George Skookum. He is the perfect example of a Yukoner who gives freely of himself to help out his community and territory. Congratulations on this well-deserved award.
Commissioner Angélique Bernard, J
George started the Challengers baseball team for the over 15-year-old First Nations youth to be able to have a team and to be able to go to the Indigenous Games. He also coaches the Carmacks Hawks baseball team and the Carmacks Nighthawks hockey team. I know that the positive influence that George has had on the children and youth of the Yukon and their families will continue for many generations.
Marilyn Lawrence, Nominator of George Skookum and community member
Quick Facts
- In addition to volunteering as a coach in his community, George Skookum is a volunteer board member for the Yukon Native Hockey Tournament.
- George is also a volunteer board member for the Carmacks Curling Club, the Carmacks Recreation Board, the Tantalus Recycling Center and the Yukon College Campus Committee.
- George also teaches local youth to have pride and confidence in themselves and to take pride in their First Nations culture.
