Michael Linklater

CAN

Role

Six-year 3x3 World Tour Pro & 3x3 Canadian National Team Captain

Michael Linklater has established himself as one of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA)’s top professional 3x3 basketball players in the world, and he is a member of Team Canada.

Linklater led the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s basketball team to its first and only CanWest Conference Championship and CIS National Championship in 2010. He is the founder of the International Campaign “Boys with Braids,” and he owns Prime Basketball Development, which teaches players how to become champions on and off the court. He is also a trained yoga instructor.

Linklater has won numerous awards as an advocate for Indigenous young people and for his community involvement. Among these awards are: Indspire, 3x3 World Tour Most Spectacular Player, the Saskatchewan CBC future 40 under 40, the Chief of Police award for community service, and the Circle of Honour award. In the past 18 years, he has delivered hundreds of keynote addresses to tens of thousands of young people and adults across Canada and the United States.

Linklater is a proud Nehiyaw (Cree), descending from the Thunderchild First Nation, located in Treaty 6 Territory. Most importantly, Michael is a proud father who understands the significance of his culture and of passing it down to his children.

The speakers

Using the unique power of sport to bring people together, the Olympism in Action Forum saw a range of global players, including Olympic Movement stakeholders, athletes, private and public sector leaders, NGO representatives, academics, artists and the media come together to talk on topical contemporary issues. Chosen because of their ability to effect change and their wide range of sometimes differing opinions, the speakers led lively debates and seeked to challenge received wisdom to inspire new ways of thinking.