Savana Walkingbear in Doumac Park

Met 25 year old Camosun Volleyball student athlete Savana Walkingbear for some portrait photos yesterday. He was selected as one of the top six indigenous male athletes from across North America for a Native American Fitness Calendar.

He was great to work with and we had fun exploring the small but beautiful Doumac Park. His is very determined and his Facebook post explains better than I can what he is about.

“Looking back a Few years ago, I had many opportunities to be a gangster/drug dealer stereotype native brotha. All my bros & friends had that mentality of being hustlers. No disrespect, that’s the indigenous childhood environment most of us First Nations experience. That’s the inter-generation effect of residential school warriors. In order to break free from the cycle we must lead by example with positive reinforcement to regain our indigenous identities.

When my son was born I wanted something different in our life. I wanted to be proud of who I am & where I’m from. I want to show my son that there is more positive things in the world that anyone can achieve. Now he’s cheering me on currently battling for the CCAA National Men’s Volleyball Championships to prove that anything is possible. Just gotta set your mind & your mentality to reach your goals & dreams.”

 

He called me back as I was packing up as he wanted to make sure he got a photo of me as well. Great guy and I wish him the best of luck in the second half of the school year both academically and athletically.