Local archer to lead provincial team

Andrea Roberts
Times Intern

 

Local archer Dianne Hunter recently picked out her team of eight First Nations teenagers who will represent Alberta in the North American Indigenous Games held in Toronto next year.
Most members of the team, who range in age from 14 to 18, are new to the sport of competitive archery, while only one of them has a background in competitive archery.
“I am teaching them archery,” said Hunter. “They have to train as normal athletes. So each of them have a workout schedule and they work with us. I will also get them shooting locally with me as much as I can.”
The team will train with Hunter and her two children, and will be shooting at 3D targets.
While Hunter has been hunting her whole life, she started competing in archery about one year ago for more of a challenge. She wanted to hone her hunting skills but found she enjoyed the competitive side of the sport.
This will be her first time coaching this team. She said the reason she is doing so is because she enjoys volunteering as well as seeing youth succeed.
She believes the team will help each of the youths with their self-esteem as well as make them into ambassadors for each of their bands.
“I am a very holistic person,” she said. “The way I look at it would just be to better their reserve and actually go and be a great example to the rest on the reserve. It would also be for them to feel good, to do good.”
While Hunter is happy with the team, she is looking for funding for them to help pay for travel expenses as well as uniforms and equipment. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help offset the costs.