Once again, it’s that time of year when the hotels and restaurants are bustling and the energy in Prince Rupert is electric. It’s a full week of the All Native Basketball Tournament – a time for Indigenous communities from across the province and Alaska to come together to compete, spectate, celebrate and reunite with family and friends.
This year marks the 60th consecutive year of this event, marking a great time to reflect on the vibrancy of Indigenous communities and the history of this tournament.
The All Native Basketball Tournament is a testament to the resilience of B.C. First Nations communities.
As a result of the federal government banning of the potlatch in 1884, Indigenous people were no longer able to participate in large cultural gatherings. It was one of many sweeping actions aimed at assimilating Indigenous culture. No longer legally able to carry out their governance, cultural, and spiritual traditions, First Nations living on the Northwest Coast turned to sport – and more specifically to basketball.
Basketball presented itself as an opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate their culture, connections, and Indigeneity. And through dedicated volunteers and community organizers, the All Native Basketball Tournament was born.
As an MLA who is part of a government committed to working with Indigenous peoples to build true and lasting reconciliation, it was my honour to be in attendance at the opening ceremonies of this truly special event.
The fact is, for far too long working with Indigenous communities has not been a priority in this province.
Our New Democrat government is committed to correcting the wrong-doings of the past. We’re working with Indigenous communities across the province to build government-to-government relationships that seek to build trust over time and meaningfully advance reconciliation.
Last year our government and First Nations agreed to share in provincial gaming revenue to support self-government, strong, healthy communities, and services for families. This stable, long-term revenue will make a substantial difference for people and communities.
We’re charting a new path forward and are set to become the first province in Canada to introduce legislation to bring provincial laws and policies into harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This legislation will be co-developed with the First Nations Leadership Council and other Indigenous organizations, and will form the foundation for the Province’s work on reconciliation.
We’ve also made historic investments in affordable on- and off-reserve housing for 26 communities throughout the province. These 1,100 new homes – set to be built over the course of the next two to four years – mark a milestone for reconciliation in both our province and country, with B.C. being the first province to fund on-reserve housing.
Communities across the North are set to benefit directly with housing investments in Lax Kw’alaams, Skidegate, Witset, Heiltsuk, Lhtako Dene, Terrace, Kitamaat Village, Prince George, and Quesnel. These investments in long-term, stable housing will help keep families and communities together and will make headway in addressing the housing crisis faced by people across the province, but perhaps most acutely in Indigenous communities.
And beyond housing, our government has prioritized record investments in language revitalization, skills training, and mental health and wellness support for Indigenous communities.
These commitments are all aimed at building the resilience of Indigenous communities and the positive impacts of these commitments are already being felt. Language preservation is fundamental to Indigenous culture and identity, but for too long, Indigenous language has been under threat. I’m excited to see revitalization plans being developed for each of the living Indigenous languages in B.C. and I look forward to celebrating the community benefits along the North Coast.
The theme of this year’s All Native Basketball Tournament is the ‘Year of Reflection,’ and I don’t think there’s anything more worthy to reflect upon than how far Indigenous rights have come in B.C., and how far we have yet to go. This is a time to connect with attendees from near and far, appreciate the athleticism of tournament competitors, and recognize the resilience of First Nations across this province.
Basketball is an important part of our identity in the North Coast, and this tournament is an important symbol of the resilience of Indigenous communities. Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, and communities for their commitment to sport and culture. I’m honoured to serve as your local representative on the North Coast and to once again be a part of the All Native Basketball Tournament.