Plans are underway for this year's athletic award

Page 13

The award that celebrates the memory of an accomplished Aboriginal runner will be held on May 14 at the Jasper Place Legion.

The Rita Houle award recognizes one male and one female athlete who not only display athletic ability, but who also help in the community.

The nominees from across Canada must demonstrate accomplishment in education, and the willingness to volunteer with non-profit organizations.

Candidates must be between the ages of 14 and 20. Nominations are now being accepted and must include a recent photo, letters of reference from employers, schools, and community.

This is the 19th year that the Aboriginal community has celebrated Houle's accomplishments with an awards ceremony.

Rita Houle is one of Alberta's Aboriginal role models for Native athletes. According to Gordon Russell, who was her coach, she was kind, considerate, athletically gifted and a true athlete.

"She was a very dedicated athlete who took her training seriously," said Russell. Just before she was to debut on the international circuit as a runner, Houle lost her leg to cancer.

"The last run she did was a mile in five minutes, just under the world record," said Russell. Her goal was to become an Olympic world champion. Her sights were set on the Common Wealth Games but on May, 14 1980 she lost her battle with cancer and died.

Past award ceremonies were held at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre in November.

"This year it will be held on the month and day she passed away," said Russell. Many people have attended the ceremonies over the years.

This year's ceremony is still in the planning stages.

Among the people keeping the awards ceremony alive are Ann Cardinal, Georgina Donald, Rita's mother, Bert Crowfoot and Gordon Russell who is chairman of their board.