“Showcasing our youth and their accomplishments has always been a priority and I can’t think of better ambassadors than our Youth Chiefs.” – Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2024
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) Youth Chief Joshua (Josh) Gandier, has just returned from the experience of a lifetime. The Peguis First Nation citizen was a special guest of the International Olympic Committee at the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics being held in Paris, France.
“As a long-time athlete and youth basketball coach, I am fully aware of the dedication and sacrifice it takes to be an Olympian,” stated Youth Chief Gandier. “I was honoured to welcome the athletes as they made their way through Paris on the Seine River, and to have represented SCO at the same time.”
Josh’s attendance at the Olympic Games is only one part of a remarkable summer for this young leader. After completing his first year of law studies at the University of Manitoba, Josh entered a program at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario with a focus on International Business Law.
With the support of SCO, Josh then participated in the 17th Session of the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous People in Geneva Switzerland. At that important event, Josh spoke about the International Decade of Indigenous Languages and endorsed a recommendation to establish a convention on Indigenous Languages as an outcome of the Decade. It was in Geneva where Josh was invited by the International Olympic Committee to attend the opening ceremonies.
class of 2024
“When we started the SCO Youth Council in 2018, the goal was to provide an unwavering commitment to elevate and honour the voices and perspectives of youth,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels.
“I am justifiably proud to have supported Josh in his academic and leadership journey, and I am pleased to witness first-hand how he has seized this opportunity to represent the youth of our southern Nations.”
Attending the Paris Olympics was also part of an impressive list of experiences for Josh when it comes to athletics. In the sport of basketball, he has played for Manitoba provincial teams, for the University of Winnipeg’s Wesmen men’s basketball team, and for Manitoba at the 2017 North American Indigenous Games. Joshua has also demonstrated his commitment to community by coaching basketball to Indigenous youth throughout the province. In summer 2023, he was the head coach for the 16U Manitoba Boys at the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
“It has been an honour and joy to serve alongside Josh in our current leadership roles with the SCO Youth Council,” added SCO Youth Chief Tréchelle Bunn. “Although I was unable to attend, it was an honour for both of us to be invited to attend the Olympics! I also cannot wait to see what the future holds. Josh is truly a champion for our youth, and he deserves every opportunity that has come his way.”
With his European sojourn complete, Josh is now focused on his second year of law studies and will continue to advocate for sport opportunities for youth from SCO Nations. He wants them to also have access to opportunities that will support them in pursuing higher education and representing their Nations and cultures with pride.
“Every day, I am astounded by the ever-growing list of accomplishments of our Youth Chiefs and their fellow council members,” concluded Grand Chief Daniels. “As SCO continues to provide a wealth of opportunities and experiences for youth, the future for our Nations will definitely be bright.”
For more information on the SCO Youth Council and their work, visit our website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
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Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca