Step into the ring with MMF's elite boxers

September 16, 2025

Get ready for the fight of the year with these MMF elite boxers

_{Red River Métis boxers Braeden Yurkiw (left) and Gavin Forbes (right) have been training since the spring for the upcoming Melee Gala X boxing tournament.}

Historically known for putting up a good fight, the Red River Métis will be bringing it to the ring at this year's Melee Gala X boxing event. Hosted on September 27, the event will feature a Vegas-style night of boxing, all in support of the Manitoba Métis Federation's (MMF) Heritage Fund, raising money for Michif Manor - a temporary housing accommodation for Red River Métis Citizens travelling into Winnipeg for medical treatments.

With a background in boxing and an eye on the prize, Braeden Yurkiw has been training six days a week in preparation for the gala.

"I want to be prepared, especially [since] I'm fighting in front of our entire Government, all my friends, and family," he said. "It's important to me."

The Red River Métis boxer has previously participated in Melee Gala X-hosted events - his first being in 2023 - but that doesn't change the feelings that come up when he steps into the ring.

"You can go in there and you can be as prepared as you want, but the nerves when you get in that ring, even sparring... it's crazy," said Yurkiw. "You can be in great shape, but it's the mental that really can get you."

It's amazing. I know everyone's super excited for [the tournament] and it's crazy to have such a big backing. I've always felt like the National Government of the Red River Métis has my back, but this is just another level of that. - Braeden Yurkiw.

Sponsored by Métis N4 Construction, both an MMF affiliate and Yurkiw's current place of employment, the boxer has felt nothing but support leading up to the gala.

"It's amazing. I know everyone's super excited for [the tournament] and it's crazy to have such a big backing," he said. "I've always felt like the National Government of the Red River Métis has my back, but this is just another level of that."

Yurkiw also noted that many Red River Métis Government officials will be attending the gala, including MMF President David Chartrand.

"We're getting our political (MMF) Cabinet members down there to witness this... and I think we're going to raise upwards of $100,000 for the Heritage Fund. So that to me, in my head, is doing my part."

Not only is Yurkiw doing his part by participating in the event, he's also connecting with other businesses for independent sponsorship.

"I've reached out to a lot of our industry partners, like our construction companies; we (Métis N4 Contruction) work with architects, engineers, and they've been donating to me, so that's meaningful to me," he said. "I've made some good relationships while I've been in the industry and it's super important that individually [I] am raising money as well (for the Heritage Fund)."

This isn't just a boxing event to him - it's also a way to show his Red River Métis pride.

"I feel like that's what I'm fighting for. I know that our people are known as fighters... so that means something to me for sure," said Yurkiw.

_{MMF affiliate Métis N4 Construction works closely with M Builds - the host of the event - and is proud to be involved with the upcoming boxing gala. Métis N4 Construction Senior Director Marcella Poirier (right) recognized the hard work that has been done.}

With a focus on philanthropy and a strong desire to incorporate the fighting spirit of the Red River Métis into the event, it was a simple decision for Métis N4 Construction to be a part of the gala.

"Boxing is a fight, but it is absolutely about discipline, practice, commitment, and character. Fighting for what matters means you know when to go and you know when to pull a punch... The MMF is always fighting for what matters. We are fighting for the rights of our Citizens. We are fighting for our unique identity. We are fighting for education. We are fighting for quality homes. We are fighting for healthcare. We are fighting for early childhood education," said Métis N4 Senior Director Marcella Poirier. "Fighting for what matters allows us to bring our message and our ethos to (the construction) industry."

For the senior director, one of the highlights of being involved in this event is having the privilege of sharing Red River Métis culture with the corporate boxers who have spent countless months volunteering their time and energy training to fight for what matters.

"Their commitment to understanding our Red River Métis culture, our Red River Métis people - that is part of our fight," said Poirier. "The greater understanding that non-Red River Métis people have about us, the better we will be together."

Poirier acknowledged the immense effort that goes into putting on an event of this magnitude.

"There are many moving parts," she said. "[There are] bands, showgirls, singers, performances... so, we're well aligned with United Boxing and M Builds [in] that the Red River Métis way is to put on a good show, ensure people have fun, and raise money for what we care about."

_{Sponsored by the Louis Riel Institute, Gavin Forbes has dedicated the last couple of months to vigorous training in preparation for the boxing event.}

MMF affiliate Louis Riel Institute (LRI) has also shown their pride in the event through their sponsorship of Red River Métis amateur boxer, Gavin Forbes.

Described as a "pedal to the metal experience," Forbes recognized just how much effort goes into training for a professional tournament.

"It's been gruelling," he said. "I'm a professional Red River Métis jigger - I've done many performances... and I was like, 'oh, I have some exercise experience and maybe I could handle this,' but this boxing training is so much more intense and demanding of the body than jigging is."

Boxing is a fight, but it is absolutely about discipline, practice, commitment, and character. Fighting for what matters means you know when to go and you know when to pull a punch... we (the MMF) are always fighting for what matters. We are fighting for the rights of our Citizens. We are fighting for housing. We are fighting for education. We are fighting for quality homes. We are fighting for healthcare. We are fighting for early childhood education... fighting for what matters allows us to bring our message and our ethos to (the construction) industry. - Métis N4 Senior Director Marcella Poirier.

Forbes acknowledged that despite being a non-profit themselves, LRI's willingness to support other non-profit organizations through their sponsorship in this tournament shows their dedication to their goals of bringing Red River Métis culture to the forefront.

"And that's part of why I want to be in this. I want to showcase LRI more, especially in the [Red River] Métis world, in (a way) that we're still here and that we care about our community and that we want to do more for our community. So, as you can see, I'm willing to get punched in the face for it," said the boxer.

Forbes hopes to inspire Youth to pursue opportunities that may bring them out of their comfort zone and into community.

"I especially wanted to inspire Red River Métis Youth to be involved in community-based things," he said. "There's not enough Youth that care about [being involved] these days, and I hope I could be that inspiration for people."

For those looking to attend the event, tickets are now available for purchase here, with more than 50 per cent of tickets already sold. Additionally, individuals interested in sponsoring our elite Red River Métis boxers can make donations by visiting our website, mmfboxing.ca.

 

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