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

Article content material

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

Article content material

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.

Article content material

“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 chill out a unique sort of approach, I’ve enjoyable to chill out. Lots of people like blocking noise after they shoot however I desire individuals making noises after 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. Crew Alberta completed fourth on the medal desk with 26 gold medals, 27 silver medals and 28 bronze medals.

Article content material

Shott has participated in competitions for greater than two years. Shott took dwelling silver on the Alberta 3D Goal Provincials and received 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 season. At dwelling, he hunts together with his good friend and coach, Daniel Newton. The most important animal he’s hunted with a bow is a grouse. His aim is to hunt a moose.

“Numerous Indigenous individuals 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 could be hosted right here after internet hosting competitions at Shell Place. There may be 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 growing an archery program locally.

Shott says anybody involved in archery ought to contemplate the game and there are many assets on-line.

“Additionally, simply have enjoyable,” he stated.

Get the information in your inbox each Friday morning by signing up for our e-newsletter.

[email protected]