Waneek's Going to the Olympics (Bejing 2008) Waterpolo

One of my longest friends from Ottawa, Waneek Horn Miller is going back to the Olympics for Waterpolo to Bejing 2008. Her last visit was Australia in 2000. I still remember her talking about being in the Olympics when we were kids living on Powel ave in the Glebe...The pink ladies...all to do about it...

Tonight I watched Rick Mercer (Jan 22.2008) get in the pool with the National team and there was Waneek, number 13! Getting ready for the Olympics....in August.

http://www.cbc.ca/mercerreport/#626758810

You go girl!!!! Miss you.


These are some older photos from her days near Sidney...she was number 12...

SUper strong...and lean...
Waneek is an inspiration to many women out there...especially a icon with the young generation of aboriginals.
http://www.shenandoahfilms.com/Chiefs_and_Champions_Waneek_Horn_Miller.asp
Team Canada 2008
Waneek with longer hair
Waneek visiting me in Calgary in 2005. She would still kick my ass in any swim competition!!!

Other quotes found on line below:



Waneek Horn-Miller, a Mohawk from Kahnawake, Québec, was a key member of the Canadian Women's Water Polo team that won gold at the 1999 Pan Am Games. Voted MVP, Waneek became co-captain and proudly led her team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Only 10 years earlier, at 14, she was struck to the ground by a soldier's bayonet during the Oka Crisis. Despite the fear and anger that plagued her afterwards, she chose to re-enter the outside world through sports. Not afraid of much, Waneek even took on Water Polo Canada when she was unexpectedly cut from the team after Sydney. She discusses the stereotypes Aboriginal athletes face and the invaluable guidance given to her by fellow Mohawk Olympian Alwyn Morris. Following his advice, Waneek has worked hard to share her achievements in hopes of inspiring others to reach for their dreams


Plus lots of other interesting things we know about her
"Waneek Horn-Miller earns glowing reports for her athletic abilities, but lately it's what she's doing out of the pool that's been making headlines.

Horn-Miller, one of Canada's top water polo players, grabbed national attention after posing nude for the cover of Time magazine.

It's not the first time the 24-year-old native of Kahnawake, Que., has been in the spotlight.

Ten years ago, she was photographed moments after being stabbed in the chest by the bayonet of a Canadian soldier in the wild confusion that ended the Oka Crisis (The Oka Crisis was a land dispute between the Mohawk nation and the town of Oka, Quebec which began on July 11, 1990, and lasted until September 26, 1990. It resulted in three deaths, and would be the first of a number of well-publicized violent conflicts between Indigenous people and the Canadian government in the late 20th century., the land-rights battle at the Quebec reservation.:Wickpedia)

The experience made the young girl realize the importance of life.

An avid swimmer, Horn-Miller took up water polo in a desire to lose the monotony of laps.

She was a natural.

Horn-Miller helped Canada place fifth at the 1995 world junior championship, and was instrumental in Carleton winning two Ontario university titles.

In 1996, she was named to the national senior women's team, which was fifth at the 1997 and 1999 FINA Cup meets for the world's top countries. At the latter, Canada qualified for the Sydney Olympics, and followed with a gold medal at the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg.

This year marks the Olympics debut of women's water polo and the Canadian team is considered a medal hopeful.

David Hart, co-coach of the Canadian team, believes Horn-Miller is one of the world's top players. "She has a powerful shooting arm," he said. "Anything within 10 metres has to be taken seriously."
http://www.chiefsandchampions.ca/node/132

Horn-Miller's fiercely competitive nature earned her the honour of being named co-captain of the Canadian team. "She offers great leadership," said Hart. "She always puts the team first."

also

Waneek Horn-Miller, a Mohawk from Kahnawake, Quebec, was just fourteen when she stood strong with her Nation in what came to be known as “0ka”. During the crisis, she was struck to the ground by a soldiers bayonet. Water Polo became her focus and after she made it onto the Canadian Women’s Water Polo team, they won Gold in the 1999 Pan-American Games. Voted MVP, Waneek became co-captain and proudly led the Canadian Team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Shortly thereafter, she was cut from the team. Not afraid of much, Waneek took on Water Polo Canada and fought her dismissal. She continues to inspire young people and encourages them to pursue their dreams. Waneek was awarded the Tom Longboat Award as best national female athlete.

Waneek and I in 2006 in Calgary.


Other sites:
http://www.angelfire.com/mt/nativeballers/other/hornmiller.html
http://www.canoe.ca/2000GamesWaterPolo/sep10_wan.html
http://www.mcgill.ca/fph/mission/newsupdates/
http://indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096413333
http://waterpoloreport.com/2007/11/30/waneek-horn-miller-is-back-for-canada-with-bonus-coverage-the-average-salary-of-a-canadian-olympic-athlete/

She is currently working at McGill University in Montreal
"We are proud to announce and warmly welcome the appointment of Waneek Horn-Miller as the new FPH Coordinator. May she enjoy great success here at McGill University"