Michael Linklater, Washiiyeh Jeannotte recognized as community heroes by Xbox campaign

One has mad stick-handling skills, the other teaches youth how to be leaders on and off the basketball court and both of have been named "Local Spartans" by Xbox Canada, in a campaign highlighting those making a difference in their communities.

The youngest is 10-year-old hockey player Washiiyeh Jeannotte, a member of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, about 300 kilometres northwest of Montreal. He's racked up a hefty amount of social media followers for his stick-handling talents.

Washiiyeh's father Andrew Jeannotte said the nomination came as a surprise, but hopes it will inspire more kids to follow their passions.

"It's always [about] the youth. We're always looking, Wash and myself, to motivate other kids, other parents to show that nothing's impossible," said Andrew Jeannotte.

Washiiyeh travels two hours or more for practice and games with his AA atoms team in Gatineau, Que.

"Keep working hard, keep grinding, and good things will happen," said Andrew Jeannotte.

Michael Linklater, a retired professional basketball player from Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan, was also nominated for motivating youth.

Linklater said it was an honour to be nominated.

"Being a kid growing up, I rarely saw representation in a positive manner with Indigenous people," he said.

"So, you know, any kids who maybe play Xbox who are First Nations or Indigenous will have an opportunity to see this and aspire to do something great with their lives."

Linklater is working with the Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation on a literacy campaign. Other initiatives he's been a part of include Boys with Braids, and founding Prime Basketball Development, both focusing on Indigenous youth.

"I think about my upbringing and some of the opportunities that I had, as well as some of the opportunities I wish I had," he said. 

"These are some of the things that I want to be involved with that are going to directly impact and benefit our future generations."

The Local Spartans were nominated by fans of Xbox on their social media channels, said Christina Verdurmen, Xbox marketing lead at Microsoft Canada, in an emailed statement to CBC News.