James Lavallée

James Lavallée

Youth – Métis (2019)

Métis Homeland (St. Vital, St. Boniface, Bissett), MB

In 2017, canoe and kayak athlete James Lavallée proudly wore his Métis sash on the podium after winning three medals for Team Manitoba at the Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg. Growing up, James struggled with dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and found school to be nearly impossible. At age 11, he discovered kayaking and for the first time, could see himself improving in something. In 2013, he earned gold at the National Championships in the k1 200-metre race, he was named flag bearer at the 2014 World Junior Canoe/Kayak Championships for Canada, and in 2015, he placed 15th at the Junior World Championships k1 200 metre. In 2016, James was named to Canada’s national canoe kayak team. In October 2017, he received the highly prestigious Tom Longboat Award presented to the top Indigenous male and female athletes of the year. Today, he competes internationally with Canada’s Kayak Team and is working towards a science degree at the University of Manitoba.