"North American Indigenous Games will be a huge highlight for me"

As he made his way out that day, before a crowd at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, 13-year old Evan Thomas knew someone very special was in attendance and eager to watch him race.

That was four years ago in London, Ont., and it remains a moment in time that has stuck with Thomas since that glorious day. Up in the bleachers watching him compete at the Hollandia Spring Invitational, was a very special member of the family - his 100-year-old great grandmother.

As the only member in his family to swim competitively, Thomas would add to her enjoyment by winning a 200-metre heat. It was electrifying - and so were the words from the matriarch of the family, who had earlier told him to do his best, keep on working hard and always remember his ancestors.

Moments of emotion sit entrenched in Thomas’ memory these days as he now prepares to compete – and for the first time – as a member of Team Ontario at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). It’s a major international competition held every three years. This time, it will be held in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), N.S. on the territory of the Mi'kmaq from July 15-23 of this year.

“She saw me grow up, win, do something I enjoy, and I know it brought enjoyment to her,” said Thomas, whose great grandmother “Dee” once attended a residential school. “Every time I compete, whether it’s doing my best or struggling, I know I’m moving one huge step closer to my ultimate dream of one day competing for Canada at the Olympics.

“There is much work and training to go, but for now I’ll be out to do my best (at the NAIG) and, if all goes well, I hope to win a medal for my great grandmother who I know will be cheering me on in Heaven.”

Thomas has got to be one of the nicest youngsters around, happy go lucky, always with a smile and even laughing things off when a race doesn’t meet his standards. For him, it’s just to get back at it and try again – but train much harder.

He already has loads of medals and citations filling the walls in his room at home. Soothing and inspiring in his conversations, there’s always a mention of ways to do better.

Home for Thomas is in the countryside. It’s the small rural community of Middlemiss. High school is a 30-kilometres drive northeast to Sir Frederick Banting Secondary in London. He also trains in the Forest City with the London Aquatic Club and has been on the school academic honor roll in grades 9 and 10.

Building success in the pool may also come from an early interest in construction, when he would constantly make things work after building items from his stash of Lego blocks and Playdoh – the modeling compound used by young children to make arts and crafts projects.

Interesting enough, Thomas is focused on a career in mechanical engineering – the study of physics, mathematics, force, and movement. While a career of making things that work lies down the road, Thomas says it also speaks to the present by concentrating and addressing his goals as they pertain to the world of competitive swimming.

Initiation to the sport of swimming comes from his parents, Dean and Christie, who put him in swim lessons. At age six, he was a member of the Glencoe Gators Swim Club. Glencoe, by the way, is about a 25-minute drive west of his home.

“I enjoy swimming and before every race, I have this kind of pep talk with myself and not to worry about others but instead to concentrate and go through my plan of what I hope to achieve,” said Thomas, whose good luck charm is remembering his great grandmother’s message.

Some claim that Thomas may very well be one of those hidden swim treasures. If so, that will show in time. Focusing on academics and swim, Thomas also has additional levels of stress and anxiety after learning that his father was diagnosed with blood cancer and is undergoing treatments.

In the water, Thomas says his best performance in swimming came early in 2023 at the Junior Provincials held in Toronto. He claims to have been seeded to finish last in his heat, but then went on to win it. In the final, Thomas stunned the crowd with a remarkable race and earned the gold medal in a personal best time of eight minutes and 58 seconds.

Qualifying for the Indigenous Games came in April of the same year after he submitted a resume with his swim results. It wasn’t long before he would receive an email from the Ontario team head coach with news that he had qualified.

“Competing for Ontario at the (North American Indigenous Games) will be a huge highlight for me – getting to race internationally,” said Thomas, who has a status card, can live on a Reserve and is affiliated with the Munsee Delaware Nation, who settled along the Thames River in the late 1700's at the close of the American Revolution.

Motivation has always been a big thing for Thomas. He has persevered, gaining strength from his great grandmother. There is also the desire to constantly improve in everything he does in life and even use his mental and physical strength to get over an incident of bullying from a former friend who mocked him for choosing swimming over hockey.

“I don’t like when people disrespect me and I have proved, through actions and not words, that I can be strong and achieve success,” he said. “I am having fun, enjoying the experience of swimming and have always had a thought of winning something special for the people I want to thank – my mom and dad and to cherish grandparents.”

David Grossman is a veteran award-winning Journalist, Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star, SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.