by Dan Ninham, Contributing Writer
Gillian Tucker is from the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. She played for the 19U female soccer team for Team Wisconsin in the North American Indigenous Games ’23. She is a recent 2023 graduate of Shawano Community HS in Wisconsin.
“When I was in middle school, I was inspired by my fellow peers of Monroe Middle School when I lived in North Carolina to play for the schools soccer team,” said Gillian Tucker. “My wonderful coach Jorge made me fall in love with the game, as I played goal keeper.”
“My top athletic accomplishment was making the NAIG‘20 at 15 years old, however we were unable to play due to the Covid pandemic,” said Tucker.
“Being Indigenous gives me the motive to put my mind and heart into all activities I do,” said Tucker. “It’s brought so many people from my state together and it’s been an amazing experience that all young indigenous athletes should have the opportunity to experience.”
The goodwill expressed by so many people from the hosts to the visitors will make lasting memories for all involved with NAIG’23. “My highlight of being at the NAIG’23 has definitely been the amount of people who support each other regardless of the competition,” said Tucker.
“Representing Team Wisconsin does not only mean one tribe, but the whole state, which was an honor,” said Tucker. “I happily represent my ancestors who are not alive today and the indigenous blood that will live on.”
“My coach, Leah Stroobants, always had a positive attitude towards the team,” said Tucker. “She gave us a million words of wisdom heading into the games. We represented our coach Leah, and I will forever love the times she cries while pep-talking us.”
“Gillian is the type of athlete who shows up and puts in work,” said Leah Stroobants, Gillian’s soccer coach for the NAIA’20 team that was canceled due to Covid-19 and the recent past NAIG’23 in Nova Scotia. “She is willing to try whatever the team needs even when she is uncomfortable.”
“During our opening game in Halifax, Gillian was dealing with anxiety issues – it’s a lot of pressure to compete at the level of the Games and have an audience watch you. At one point she had to get off the field just to refocus and calm down, but once she got her bearings back she was out there with no breaks for the rest of our games,” added Coach Stroobants.
“I’ll forever be grateful that I was able to coach someone like Gillian – she does whatever I need her to do without complaining and always leaves everything she is able to offer out on the field,” said Coach Stroobants. “I will definitely miss her for the next go around at the Games.”
