Earlier this summer, Calleigh Councillor travelled halfway around the world to Tauranga, New Zealand, for a week’s stay, representing her culture and country in an elite volleyball tournament.
Councillor was taking part in the 2026 All Nations U20 Volleyball Series as a member of Team All Nations, representing Indigenous communities from coast to coast.
Athletes selected through Indigenous Sport and Wellness Ontario (ISWO) in partnership with provincial and territorial Aboriginal sport bodies competed against Aotearoa Māori Poirewa “while showcasing Indigenous excellence, leadership, and athletic achievement, and strengthening the connection between Indigenous Peoples in Canada and Aotearoa New Zealand through sport,” according to ISWO.
“The people there were so kind and welcoming; you could just feel the warmth as they welcomed all those attending. Just to experience people’s culture makes me realize and put into perspective all there is to be grateful for as an Indigenous person.”
“The incredible honesty people shared cannot be described in words or pictures. I can never describe how emotional the experience was.”
The trip came about after her grandparents shared a social media post about the upcoming games. At first she wasn’t really interested, but Grandma Nancy Councillor encouraged her as well as her mother Trish Smith.
As time went on, something tweaked an interest, especially when she watched some online footage of earlier games. She sent an application to ISWO, and after two weeks received word that she was one of three women accepted from Ontario, chosen from applicants from every province.
Three Canadian teams competed, in the 19 and under (which is Calleigh’s age group), 20 and under and 16 and under age groups. Calleigh’s team won all three of its games.
But that didn’t touch Councillor’s heart and soul as much as the amazing way the teams from Canada were treated and experiencing the culture and traditions she took part in during her time there.
“The highlight of my time in New Zealand was the culture, especially the closing ceremonies,” Councillor said. “After a delicious dinner, volunteers performed the Hakka ceremonial dance. It was powerful and emotional.”
“The dance was so spiritual, watching youth having so much pride in who they were and wanting to share. The closing ceremonies really put into perspective the importance of traditional culture and made me reflect on how the people in New Zealand really live their culture every day and are aware that every day is something special.”
Calleigh praised Gary Lynch from Kenora for being one of the key people to make the trip happen. Gary had spent three years or more connecting with and organizing the New Zealand experience. Gary brought his family to New Zealand, and like Calleigh, found it a time he will always be eternally grateful for.
“No doubt the lowest point of the week was having to say goodbye at the airport,” she said. “Going through security and looking down at the people that I had spent the week with, I truly felt like I was leaving a little bit of my heart there. My heart was so heavy as I felt the love of a sport that had brought us together. It was gut-wrenching; this came from a place of love.”
Aside from a little jet lag, Councillor said she was happy to be home to share her experiences.
Councillor, a well-known athlete from Naicatchewenin First Nation who also works at Heron Landing Golf Club, gained wider recognition as part of Team Ontario at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games, competing in the 16U girls’ volleyball division. Her selection placed her within the development pathway supported by ISWO, the provincial organization responsible for preparing and fielding Ontario’s North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) athletes.
She has continued to grow her athletic profile since NAIG, advancing into collegiate volleyball and contributing to the increasing visibility of First Nations athletes in competitive sport. Known for her strong middle‑position play and steady work ethic, she represents a rising generation of Indigenous athletes building momentum in volleyball across the region.
