SAINTS OF THE NORTH — Fourteen-year-old Lily Simard has become the first female youth from the Vuntut Gwitchin Nation to make a Team Canada karate squad, a milestone that her family and community across the Yukon are celebrating.
From Old Crow roots to international tatami
Simard, who moved from Whitehorse to Saskatoon when she was seven, said she began karate soon after the move. Her family ties to Old Crow run deep: her great-great-grandparents, Charlie Peter and Fanny Charlie, are part of her Vuntut Gwitchin ancestry. That heritage is central to how relatives describe her accomplishment — not only as a personal success but as recognition for northern athletes on national stages.
Her aunt, Kim Blake, told local media that Simard has become a role model at her Saskatoon dojo and that relatives across the territory are proud of what she is achieving. Simard trains intensively while balancing school and tutoring, putting in about five sessions a week as she prepares for competition at the senior levels.
Progression through ranks and national selection
Simard holds a shodan-ho junior black belt and is already testing toward a full black belt, which she will be eligible to receive at 16. Her entry onto Team Canada followed results at national tournaments: athletes must place in the top four at national championships to be considered for the youth league team. Simard finished fourth in her second year competing at nationals, which earned her an initial international trip to Italy in December.
"It's kind of like the Karate World Cup,"
She described international tournaments as large and intimidating, but also motivating. Her next major assignment is the Pan American championships this August in Costa Rica, where competitors come from across the Americas.
What this means for Yukon athletes
Observers say Simard’s rise underscores a persistent gap in representation from the North at national events. She has faced roughly 50 opponents across various tournaments but has rarely encountered other Yukon athletes at nationals. Both the Yukon and Northwest Territories teams do not typically attend many national tournaments, though athletes from the Yukon do appear at events like the Canada Winter Games.
Family members and community leaders emphasise the importance of visible role models for youth in small, remote communities. Blake told reporters that recognition matters, particularly for Indigenous youngsters who seldom see people from their home communities at elite levels.
Training, education and future plans
Simard balances a demanding training schedule with schoolwork. Her plans include continuing to compete internationally and ultimately pursuing a coaching licence so she can support younger athletes in the way her coaches supported her. Family and coaches say they hope she will inspire others from the Yukon to stay engaged in sport and pursue high-level opportunities.
Her path — from local dojos to the international stage — highlights both the potential and the barriers for northern athletes, especially those who relocate for schooling or training. Simard’s move to Saskatoon opened access to regular, higher-level coaching and competition, a reality many northern athletes face when seeking advancement.
At a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 14 |
| Belt rank | Shodan-ho (junior black belt) |
| Nationality representation | Team Canada -- Youth |
| Upcoming event | Pan American championships, Costa Rica — August |
- Simard moved from Whitehorse to Saskatoon at age seven and began karate in her new city.
- She earned Team Canada selection after placing in the top four at nationals.
- She aims to continue competing internationally and to coach younger athletes in future.
For Yukon readers, Simard's achievement is a reminder that talent from small, remote communities can rise to national and international levels. Her coaches and family hope her example will encourage other young Yukoners — and especially Indigenous females — to pursue sport as a pathway to personal development and wider recognition.
This story was reported locally and reflects the aspirations and pride of the Vuntut Gwitchin and wider Yukon community as one of their own prepares to represent Canada on the international stage.
