Meika McDonald facts for kids
Meika McDonald is an amazing athlete from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. She lives in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories and is famous for her incredible achievements in Arctic Sports. Meika won a total of 34 medals at the Arctic Winter Games between 1998 and 2006.
She even set three new records during her career! These records were in the Alaskan high kick (for both junior and open women) and the triple jump (for open women). Meika was honored with the Sport North Federation's Mary Beth Miller Memorial Senior Female Athlete of the Year award in 1998. Later, in 2007, she became a director for the Arctic Winter Games International Committee. Her outstanding sports career led to her induction into the NWT Sport Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2017, she received the Governor General's Meritorious Service Medal for her contributions.
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About Meika McDonald
Meika McDonald has spent her life in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. She first learned about Arctic Sports when she was around 11 or 12 years old. A family friend, Ernie Bernhardt, introduced her to these exciting games.
Meika's father, Tim McDonald, was her coach and helped her become a champion. She even competed in the 1994 Arctic Winter Games while also taking care of her four-month-old son. Meika's daughter, Veronica McDonald, has also become a very successful Arctic Sports athlete. Both Meika and her father trained Veronica, continuing the family's strong tradition in the sport.
Meika's Sports Career
Athletic Achievements
Meika McDonald was coached by her father, Tim McDonald, from a young age. She competed in Arctic Sports at the Arctic Winter Games ten times, from 1988 to 2006. During these games, she won an impressive 34 medals. This included 14 gold, 11 silver, and 9 bronze medals.
Meika set three major records during her time competing. In 1990, she set the Junior Women's Alaskan high kick record at 5 feet 8 inches. She then broke the Open Women's Alaskan high kick record in 1998, reaching 1.8 meters. In 2000, she set another record in the Open Women's triple jump event, with a distance of 7.08 meters. In recognition of her amazing career, Meika was inducted into the NWT Sport Hall of Fame in 2015.
Community Contributions
After her days of competing, Meika McDonald continued to be involved in Arctic Sports. In 2007, she was appointed as a director on the Arctic Winter Games International Committee. She served on this committee for many years, helping to guide the future of the games.
Meika worked hard to promote traditional Indigenous games. She helped create a special training package for Arctic Sports. She also held demonstrations and workshops across Canada, teaching others about these unique sports. Meika explained how different high kicks are performed in an online video. She also shared her "family philosophy" about these games, showing how her family helps pass down traditions through competing, coaching, and officiating. In 2017, Meika received the Governor General's Meritorious Service Medal. This award recognized her athletic success and her efforts to promote traditional sports. She inspired many young athletes and helped connect northern youth to their culture and elders.
Awards and Recognition
Meika McDonald has received several important awards for her achievements. In 1998, she was given the Sport North Federation's Mary Beth Miller Memorial Senior Female Athlete of the Year award. In 2017, she was awarded the Governor General's Meritorious Service Medal, and she officially received it in 2019.
