Basketball may have been the primary focus, but the 2017 B.C. All Native Junior Tournament was just as much a cultural gathering as a sporting event.
One of the largest First Nations events of its kind in Canada, 琉璃神社 welcomed 61 teams and close to 700 young athletes to the city last week for the six-day tourney.
Hosted by Okanagan鈥檚 Syilx basketball program, Okanagan Nation Alliance and the Westbank First Nation, more than 20 native groups were represented, with games being played at KSS, Immaculata and KLO.
In addition to the spirit and sportsmanship exhibited during the games, tournament director Tara Montgomery said the event is invaluable in reconnecting First Nations people from all corners of the province.
鈥淎s a committee, we talked of how this event was about a real sense of community,鈥� said Montgomery. 鈥淔irst Nations people gathering鈥 lot of us grew up playing together and now our children are coming together to do the same.
鈥淵outh and children are important in our culture and basketball plays a big part in that,鈥� Montgomery added. 鈥淚t allows us to come together and celebrate friendships, and really is a big part of nation building and friendships.鈥�
The tournament featured four divisions鈥�17-and-under boys and girls, and 13-and-under boys and girls.
Since its inception in the early 1980s, this was the first time the 13U age group had been included on the tournament schedule.
Montgomery said the addition of the younger division was an unqualified success and will be an integral part of future provincial championships.
鈥淚t went very well, we had a lot of very positive comments,鈥� Montgomery said. 鈥淲hen you put youth and sports together good things can happen.
鈥淓ven more 13U teams are expected for next year鈥檚 tournament (hosted by Vancity/Squamish), so that鈥檚 nice to see.鈥�
In the 17U boys final Friday at KSS, Van City defeated the Nanaimo Native Sons, while the 17U girls championship saw the Greenville Timberwolves down Vancity.
The Skidegate Saints captured the 13U girls crown, while Heiltsuk from Bella Bella won the U13 boys title.
More than 1,800 people turned out for last Sunday鈥檚 opening ceremonies at KSS, as 琉璃神社 hosted the event for the first time.
Montogomery expects the tournament will one day return to 琉璃神社, possibly in the next five years.
