TAYLEN HOLLOWAY
COMMUNITY LEADER | GRADE 7 STUDENT
Nation: Mînî Thnî, Stoney Nakoda Nation
School: Exshaw School
Division: Canadian Rockies Public School
Taylen is an energetic and outdoors-focused 12-year-old who thrives on being active and spending time on the land. Whether he is playing baseball, fishing, or heading outside during gym and recess, he gravitates toward movement, teamwork, and fresh air.
In Taylen’s eyes, a perfect day is full of activity. He describes it as “playing sports [and] being outdoors,” reflecting both his love of sport and his strong connection to time on the land. He also enjoys attending round dances, taking part in traditional activities at the lodge, and spending time fishing at Chiniki Lake in the summer.
“Taylen is someone who has enthusiastically participated in all kinds of Spirit North programs. He loves to challenge himself to try new things while exploring the outdoors and he shows determination, resilience and skill in his approach to sports. We have seen him grow into a confident leader on the ski team and he is interested in becoming a Spirit North youth leader in the future.”
He is someone who embraces every opportunity to try something new and has taken part in a wide range of Spirit North activities, including lacrosse, biking, paddleboarding, canoeing, and skiing. He especially enjoys time spent skiing and attending summer camps, where he values “hanging around with my friends, skiing with them, meeting new people.” His favourite activities often center around the water, especially fishing and paddleboarding.
Taylen’s strengths are his curiosity and willingness to support others. When teammates or classmates are unsure what to do, he steps in to help guide them, showing early leadership skills and a natural ability to include others. He is also comfortable sharing his ideas and suggesting new activities, including more biking, outdoor sports, and even trying ice fishing.