Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation siblings bring home medals from summer games

Alexander Smith and his sister Eva Smith both brought home medals from the 2024 B.C. Summer Games. 

The two Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation athletes both competed in the kayak and canoe competitions in Maple Ridge from July 17 to 21. Smith, 16, brought home gold in the 200 meter male canoe/kayak and bronze in the 500-meter male canoe/kayak kayak while his little sister Eva, 12, brought home bronze in the 500-meter mixed development race. 

"I got two medals in one day, gold and bronze, so it was pretty nice. Then I had a couple more losses and wins but overall I was just there to have fun," Smith said. "I just really like to paddle."

Smith has been competing in paddling sports for the last several years, working with his kayaking and canoe coach Stephen Rowell. He noted his grandparents Jessie Archie and Pam Thedore have also helped fund and encourage his athleticism, which he greatly appreciates. He's spent the last six months training on Deka Lake and on land. 

Seeing his little sister Eva get into his sport over the last few months has also been exciting for Smith. He noted they competed together in canoe events and this was his first time working with her as a team. 

"It was a whole lot better because I think I could communicate with her better being her brother," Smith remarked. "I think she has gotten a whole lot better at canoeing because she is the opposite of me. She practices more kayaking than canoeing." 

Driving down to Maple Ridge was a long drive but Smith remarked thankfully the bus was fairly comfortable. During the games themselves, he said there were so many athletes he was moving only an inch every few minutes just to get into the mess hall. 

Smith said he was "100 per cent sure" he was going to come home with at least one medal. That confidence in part fuelled him as he took part in his first event, a two-kilometer sprint.  

"When we finally got to the races I wasn't as nervous as I usually am. I got to the race with complete confidence, went super hard and I got first place," Smith explained. "That was a pretty good feeling." 

After he won his medals Smith remarked he was overwhelmed with excitement and happiness, noting doing two laps around the course was pretty exhausting. His effort paid off, however, as he ended with a big gap ahead of everyone else. He noted he tends to focus on canoe sports, so he was happy he was able to compete with people more used to using kayaks. 

Smith said he and Eva hope to compete together again at the next North American Indigenous Games in 2027.