Veronica McDonald facts for kids
Veronica McDonald was born in 1995. She is a talented athlete and coach in Arctic Sports. These are traditional sports from Indigenous cultures. Veronica is part of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in Alberta, Canada. She lives in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. She started competing in Arctic Sports when she was very young. Veronica holds two records at the Arctic Winter Games. She won awards as a top junior and senior athlete in Arctic Sports.
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Early Life and Inspiration
Veronica McDonald was born on January 17, 1995. She grew up in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. Her mother, Meika McDonald, is also a famous Arctic Sports athlete. Meika has won many medals and holds several records.
Veronica's first coach was her grandfather, Tim McDonald. He also coached her mother. Veronica says her mom is her biggest role model. She watched her mom compete in the 2000 Arctic Winter Games. Veronica saw everyone cheering for her mom. She knew right away she wanted to be like her.
Amazing Sports Career
Competing in Arctic Sports
Veronica McDonald competed in Arctic Sports at the Arctic Winter Games seven times. She started when she was only 9 years old. She won 28 medals at these games.
Veronica holds two special records at the Arctic Winter Games:
- In 2012, she set a record in the junior women’s kneel jump. She jumped 132.4 cm (4 feet, 4 inches).
- In 2018, she set a record in the women’s open triple jump. She jumped 8.61 meters (28 feet, 3 inches).
She was named the best all-around Junior Female Athlete in Arctic Sports in 2012. She also won the all-around Open Female Athlete award in 2014 and 2018. In 2014, she received the Junior Female Athlete Award from the Sport North Federation. Veronica was chosen to be the final torchbearer for the opening ceremony at the 2018 Games.
In 2018, Veronica went to the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics. This big event was in Fairbanks, Alaska. She competed in 12 events there. She won five medals: four gold and one bronze. She earned gold medals in the two-foot high kick, Alaskan high kick, kneel jump, and scissor broad jump. She won a bronze medal in the blanket toss.
Coaching and Helping Others
Veronica McDonald officially started the Yellowknife Arctic Sports Club in 2019. She had already been coaching athletes for many years. She believes in helping others in Arctic Sports. She says, "In these games you are taught to offer encouragement and to help others."
Veronica describes her club as fun, easy to join, and very supportive. She explains that it's not about beating someone else. It's about helping everyone reach their goals. Veronica also works as a Traditional Games Instructor. She trains other instructors for the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Northwest Territories. She also helps judge events at the Traditional Games Championships.
Awards and Recognition
Veronica McDonald has received several important awards for her achievements.
- In 2018, she received the Sport North Federation's Junior Female Athlete award.
- In 2020, she was honored with the National Indigenous Coaching Award.
