Northern region represented by Treaty 8 Bisons at youth basketball tournament

FORT NELSON, B.C. — Next week’s basketball tournament for First Nations youth in Kelowna will have representation from northern B.C. 

The Treaty 8 Bison team, led by coach Cedar Welchin, will head to the Junior All Native Tournament (JANT) despite being unable to practice together due to geographical obstacles.

Some hail from Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN), some from Prophet River First Nation and four members from Saulteau First Nations near Chetwynd.

This year’s squad is all new, with players from 2024 aging out of the championship for First Nations youth up to 17 years old.

Welchin, the former athletic director for FNFN, left to form the Treaty 8 sports association, focusing on promoting sport among First Nations youth in the region.

In 2024, the northern team entering the JANT in Terrace was comprised mainly of FNFN youth. The team, named the Denendeh Beavers,  was “overwhelmed” by the reception they received, according to Welchin.

“There [had] never been a team from the north,” said Welchin. “We were wearing our moose hide hand games vests.  It brought a lot of attention to us [for our regalia].

“Most of the other nations come in cedar regalia and carry paddles. Ours was very different and educational for other nations in B.C.”

Still, Welchin is big on this year’s team, and knows there will be improvement from 2024. 

Important players for the squad include six-foot-seven-inch Brody Pilgrim. Pilgrim is a member of Ts’il Kaz Koh Nation of Burns Lake.  

Joining Pilgrim on the roster is Kalik Beattie. Beattie is a six-foot-three power forward who resides in Fort Nelson, and is a member of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Nation in Saskatchewan.

This year’s tournament will feature representation from over 100 B.C. First Nations, with tournaments taking place in the U-10, U-13 and U-17 divisions.

“This tournament is so impactful on these guys,” said Welchin. “They get to be a part of [that] cultural experience, but they are also able to reconnect with family members of other nations across B.C.”

Like last year, Welchin wants the team to use the experience, take “pride” in their Indigenous culture, and build toward competing in the All Native Championship.

The All Native Championship is a men’s and women’s tournament first held in the 1950s in Prince Rupert is the largest First Nations basketball tournament in Canada.

The Bisons were sponsored by True North Aid, a charity which provides support for remote Indigenous communities. 

The JANT will be hosted by the Syilx Okanagan Nation and the Sylix basketball team in Kelowna.  The opening ceremonies will take place on March 16th. 

The Treaty 8 Bison team will have an exhibition game on March 15th in Williams Lake before starting the tournament on March 17th against the Bella Coola Grizzlies.

To follow the team’s games, you can view the tournament on Canadian First Nations Radio on its website.