Alumni Panelist: Lives Well Lived
Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 | 1 to 3:30pm
The Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness
Interurban Campus, Camosun College
Dano Thorne, kwa li’ qui’num, is from Cowichan First Nation and serves as Youth, Recreation and Sport Director for the Pacheedaht First Nation and NIFA Soccer Society. Growing up, Thorne graduated from Cowichan High School, studied recreation at Camosun College until 1987, and later attended Canada’s National Coaching Institute at Uvic. This pathway then led Thorne to national level sport advocacy and coaching youth soccer and developing a participation-based multi-sport program, as well as a competitive sport model with the basis being traditional teachings.
Thorne’s family has a rich history in soccer as his grandfather built the sport in his community. He started playing soccer since he could walk and considers the sport a foundation in everyone’s life. Dano has not only been able to use it to stay healthy and active, but also as a career. He recently received gold at the 2015 and 2017 World Indigenous Games coaching the Indigenous female soccer team to World Gold .
His mission is to make a positive change on the quality of life of all those around him, whether that be his Indigenous community, his players, or his family. “We have lost a lot of young leaders and elders because we aren’t taking care of ourselves. Have fun, play and set an example to the youth,” says Thorne. “We need to stay alive and enjoy it so we can pass on the vital cultural teachings that come our way, so we can learn those things that have connection to our ancestors and our cultural wellness. Our major games are about culture and identity and sharing song, dance and our traditional ways. Culture will be the foundation of games and sport.”
Camosun students, employees and the community can share in the learning experience either in person or by watching it live-streamed on Camosun’s YouTube channel.