SANTANNA BILL

AGE: 15

RESERVE: PELICAN LAKE FIRST NATION

SPORT: BADMINTON U16

Santanna Bill, from Pelican Lake First Nation, was excited to be a part of this year's North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) held in Regina, SK. 

She says she was really excited when she first found out that she was going to represent Team Saskatchewan playing badminton. 

"There were really no words that came to mind how happy and proud I was. I was really excited to get the experience be a part of NAIG."

She trained for three months running, doing footwork and other exercises. 

She's been playing badminton for six years and owes her dedication to her sister.

"My sister is my biggest inspiration because she competed in NAIG when she was younger; she tripled crowned. I really look up to her so I wanted to follow her footsteps."

Bill enjoyed her first experience at NAIG where she had a lot of fun besides taking home the gold medal. 

"It was amazing! It was really great seeing all the people and meeting new people and spending time with everyone."

Her plans for the future are to attend university and go into teaching but she is unsure of which university to choose from. 

Her advice to the youth who would like to work hard to play in NAIG is to play hard and enjoy the experience. 

"Just talk to new people, make lots of friends and just have a good time."

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