Another Indigenous sporting event is coming to Prince George this fall.
The Lheidli Basketball Tournament will be held in the northern capital from November 15-17.
Co-lead and Lheidli T’enneh councillor, Josh Seymour stated inspiration wasn’t hard to find given the support for long-standing events already in place.
“You look at the other Indigenous tournaments around town like the hockey tournaments and the John Cho Cup that is coming up this weekend, there is huge community support for the Indigenous community as well as the community at large. We want to make different sports accessible to everybody.”
Fellow co-lead and SD 57 Trustee, Erica McLean told MyPGNow.com they eventually want to model this after the All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert, which has been a staple for over six decades.
“I feel like there was enough of us to have those conversations and saying why don’t we do something like that? Here is an opportunity to bring these things together and it’s unreal at how easily and quickly it happened.”
McLean believes her role in the education sector can help spur Indigenous youth to follow their athletic pursuits.
“As a leader in that trustee and school board space, I want to figure out how can I be a voice for young people and young people who are off doing that work trying to get those opportunities and experiences as they continue to grow and learn about the best versions of themselves.”
“I think it really is me trying to be a voice for creating more opportunities for young people. It doesn’t have to be sport but sport can be a big part of people’s lives as well as wellness and addressing equity. I just see this as an opportunity but also that kind of responsibility to support community and our young people.”
After about two and a half years, the Jumpstart Multisport Courts opened to the public in August of 2023.
Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart Charities contributed nearly $950,000 for the project, entering into a gift agreement with the City back in February of this year.
In addition, the City also contributed $475,000 from reserve provincial grant money.
The new facility nestled along on Massey Drive, across from the Fire Hall, Masich Place Stadium and, Spruce City Stadium among other recreational facilities, features a full-size basketball court, a tennis court, four pickleball courts, and other casual play.
Both Seymour and McLean agree having the courts available could spur new interest in kids wanting to pick up basketball as their sport of choice in PG.
“If we create that culture and that space for our community members to come together and I really think that is such a characteristic that is unique to First Nations or Indigenous basketball or sports tournaments, because it’s about community first,” added McLean.
“I think this facility here, the Jumpstart Courts, is an excellent opportunity for our kids to come out and play. Growing up, sports was a huge thing for my generation and the courts that we played on would have chunks of concrete missing or rocks on the court. So, when we are looking at courts like this, that are state of the art, it really shows a lot of kids who might not have been able to play sports what they can do.” added Seymour.
For the first year, the PG tourney will consist of 10 men’s teams and six to eight women’s clubs.
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