Description
Great Athletes from our First Nations, second printing, is one of the titles in The First Nations Series for Young Readers. This 2017 title contains brief biographical sketches of 13 outstanding male and female athletes from Canada and the United States. Each athlete has achieved success in their chosen sport. The book, authored by long-distance runner Vincent Schilling, celebrates the lives of Jordin Tootoo, Cheri Becerra-Madsen, Alwyn Morris, Stephanie Murata, Cory Witherill, Ross Anderson, Richard Dionne, Mike Edwards, Shelly Hruska, Beau Kemp, Naomi Lang, Jim Thorpe, and Delby Powless. Updated details for two outstanding basketball players include Shoni Schimmel and Kenny Dobs. Shoni is a tribal member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla in eastern Oregon, has earned the nicknames “The Umatilla Thrilla” and “Showtime” in the world of women’s basketball. To people in Indian Country, Shoni is an absolute hero. Kenny Dobbs, aka “The Dunk Inventor,” is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and has toured the globe with the National Basketball Association as a celebrity dunker for sold-out shows. The athletes excel in Basketball, Olympic Wheelchair Racing, Indy Race Car Driving, Olympic Gold Medal in Kayaking, Figure Skating, Baseball, Lacrosse, Football, Wrestling, Bowling, Hockey, and Ringette. This is a valuable contribution to the literature about Aboriginal women and men athletes from Canada and the United States suitable for senior elementary and secondary students. Reading Level: 6.0. Highly recommended