Derek Rope, a member of Pasqua First Nation and Huskies Track and Field alumni, has dedicated his life to mentoring and supporting Indigenous youth. Derek has founded multiple businesses and athletics clubs focused on building Indigenous representation, success and community support, including Running Wild Athletics, Saskatchewan Aboriginal Track & Field, Medicine Rope Strategies, Element Connect and PEBL Goods. He generously gave his time to the 2023 U Sport Track and Field Championships in Saskatoon as volunteer chair of the Huskie Athletics host committee, where amongst other things he coordinated and managed the creation and distribution of 800 hand-beaded lanyards for every U Sport National Championship participant. He has also been a leader and participant in the annual Huskie Track & Field Dakota Classic. In 2023, he was the recipient of the Friend of the College Award for his significant contributions to Indigenous engagement and consultation with the USask Kinesiology Depar...