Excellence was always expected of Waneek Horn-Miller, and her three sisters.

Their single mom led by example in committing to activism, feminism, and indigenous rights. From childhood, the message was: whatever you do in life, be great at it, and don't just do it for yourself, do it for the next generation.

More than thirty years after she first came to international attention on the front lines of the 1990 Oka Crisis, Horn-Miller continues to honour her mother's teaching.

In 2000, the water polo player helped deliver the best Olympic results Canadian women have ever seen.

In the years since, Horn-Miller's advocacy has effectively kept important, difficult issues on the table. Two core concerns are abuse in amateur sport, and the role of sport in truth and reconciliation. For Horn-Miller the effort begins at home, raising well-rounded and athletic daughters- and radiates out to coaching at Water Polo clubs, and further afield, to helping the Assembly of First Nations develop an Indigenous Sport, Fitness and Wellness Strategy.

While those long-term causes keep Horn-Miller focussed on lasting results, she's also having a blast at this very moment, coaching contestants on Canada's Ultimate Challenge, CBC's new big ticket reality program. Horn-Miller sets the bar high for herself in this role, urging her athletes to compete according to principles that are long understood among Mohawk people- even if they may be new values for western contestants to consider.

It's a challenging task, but Waneek Horn-Miller excels at it.