Mya Kubrakovich Inspires Student-Athletes at Buffalo Bay Academy and Kapawe’no Nêhiyawak School

Kapawe’no First Nation – Mya Kubrakovich, Minegoziibe Anishinabe ochi niya, is a freshman at the University of McKendree in Illinois, recently shared her journey and experiences with students at Buffalo Bay Academy and Kapawe’no Nêhiyawak School during the first segment of The Confident Athlete program. Her online presence, part of an afternoon dedicated to inspiring young athletes, highlighted her dual achievements in sports and academics, offering valuable insights into balancing life as a student-athlete.

Minegoziibe Anishinabe is located in Treaty 4 territory. She played her minor hockey and many sports in Dauphin and later went on the play AAA hockey, basketball and male baseball at Athol Murray Notre Dame in Wilcox. Now Mya continues to be on the rise as a player in NCAA hockey. Mya’s path to collegiate athletics has been filled with dedication and hard work. Her story is particularly resonant for the students at Buffalo Bay Academy and Kapawe’no Nêhiyawak School, where she spoke about the importance of perseverance, education, and maintaining one’s cultural roots as an Anishinaabeiwke.

During her talk, Mya discussed how her experiences growing up influenced her athletic and academic careers. She emphasized the value of education, her relentless pursuit of athletic excellence, and how she manages to weave her cultural identity into her daily life as a student-athlete. “This is a dream,” Mya remarked, referring to her journey to high-level hockey as a freshman, echoing the sentiments she shared in her interviews and featured videos.

Brian Thomas, Athletic Director, noted Mya’s significant impact on the students. “Mya embodies the spirit and determination that we strive to cultivate in all our students. Her success is a testament to her hard work and the strong support system backing her,” he commented. This segment was not just an opportunity for Mya to tell her story but also a chance for her to directly encourage and motivate our young student – athletes by illustrating a tangible example of what they can aspire to achieve.

Mya’s time with us at Buffalo Bay Academy and Kapawe’no Nêhiyawak School is part of a broader effort to provide students with real-life examples of success and determination. Her presence reinforced the themes of The Confident Student Athlete program, which aims to foster self-assurance, resilience, and ambition among young learners.

As Mya continues her athletic and academic pursuits at McKendree University, her story remains an inspiration for the students she addressed, encouraging them to pursue their passions with courage and conviction. Her commitment to excellence in all aspects of her life serves as a powerful example for young people everywhere, especially those from her Nation of Minegoziibe Anishinabe.