Red River Métis wrestler's South team nabs silver medal at Manitoba Games

March 16, 2026

Emma Knelsen participated in the 2026 Manitoba Games in Thompson, placing fourth individually in the 52 kg female competition and taking home a silver medal with her South team.

_{Red River Métis wrestler Emma Knelsen competed in the Manitoba Games for the first time from March 1-7.}

Red River Métis wrestler Emma Knelsen brought home a silver medal with her South team at the 2026 Manitoba Games in Thompson. The 13-year-old also placed fourth individually in the 52 kg female competition at the Games, which took place from March 1-7.

"I wrestled hard against some of the best girls in Manitoba," she said.

This was the Red River Métis Youth's first year participating in the Manitoba Games. She said it was daunting to step on the mat for the first time.

"It felt scary, kind of. Because [I was competing against] really good wrestlers, I was a bit nervous," said Emma. "When the whistle blew, my mind got off the nerves and just went [into] that mindset of wrestling."

A member of Morris Wrestling Club since 2018, the St. Malo teen started competing in Grade One.

"I got interested in wrestling because it's a unique sport. And when I tell people I [compete in] wrestling, they always say it's 'so cool.' I like the feeling when I win my matches and the ref holds up my hand and I hear the crowd cheering," she said. "It's actually really fun."

When I'm in a match and I'm feeling like I can't keep going, I remember how strong our people are and that pushes me to keep fighting. I feel like I'm representing more than just myself. I hope that by doing my best, I can inspire other girls to [get into] wrestling. - Emma Knelsen

With a successful Manitoba Games under her belt, Emma has set her sights on the next North American Indigenous Games. As wrestling wraps up for the season, she is preparing to race quads and race cars this year.

"Emma is going to be racing a four-cylinder race car at Victory Lane Speedway this year," said Emma's mother, Kayla Knelsen.

The 13-year-old will participate in the Girls of the Speedway program at the St. Adolphe track.

"They have a program there that promotes girls in racing. So, Emma's going to be a part of that," Kayla said. "And then she also races ... quads. And we go up to a lot of northern reserves all summer to do that racing."

Kayla said she wasn't aware of her Red River Métis heritage until later in life but is happy she can now share her cultural pride with her daughter.

"In 2023, I took [Emma] to a work event and she got to spend the day with a Métis Elder, Charlotte Nolin, in a sharing circle. She was super excited about that," Kayla said. "The Métis Local in St. Malo here, [Emma] does beading nights there. She gets to chat with kids who are Métis ... She's played volleyball with some of them. So, it's kind of like a new family for her."

Remembering "how strong our people are," Emma's connection to her Red River Métis heritage helps push her through tough wrestling competitions.

"I feel like I'm representing more than just myself. I hope that by doing my best, I can inspire other girls to [get into] wrestling," said the Citizen.

The Manitoba Métis Federation encourages Citizens to connect with their Locals and the Red River Métis Community. Check out the events page on our website at mmf.mb.ca/events to find something right for you.

 

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