First Nations kids get the basketball bug

February 18, 2014
Landon Marion, Sarah McGregor, Ava Beatty, Audrey Marion, and Hailey Pilon. The black shirts play for the Mississaugi "Down the Hill" Team and the blue shirts play for the Mississaugi "Up the Hill" team.
Landon Marion, Sarah McGregor, Ava Beatty, Audrey Marion, and Hailey Pilon. The black shirts play for the Mississaugi “Down the Hill” Team and the blue shirts play for the Mississaugi “Up the Hill” team.

By Marci Becking

MISSISSAUGI FIRST NATION  – Josh Carpenter dreams that someday his basketball tournament will be as big as the Little NHL.

Carpenter – who moved to Mississaugi three years ago with his wife, Terri-Lynn Chiblow-Carpenter – says that the tournament started out as his idea, but all he does is volunteer coach.

“We had more than enough kids for two teams in our 12-and-under division this year, so we called one ‘Down the Hill’ and one ‘Up the Hill’.

“This is the third year we have done the tournament, but the fourth tournament in total we have done.  One year the kids really wanted another so we did one in the summer as well.

“It would be amazing if the sport grew to the point of having a tournament as big as the Little NHL.  I don’t know if I will ever see it in my lifetime but all we can do is keep trying.”

This year two other communities joined the tournament – Batchawana and Sagamok.

“It has been a struggle to get more communities involved,” says Carpenter.  “I think every First Nation in Ontario has received a phone call, fax or email from me asking them to come play.  I just plan to keep on asking over the phone, putting out our posters and hoping more communities take up the challenge.”

“Playing organized basketball in grade school, high school and university was one the most positive experiences I have had in my life. I think if everyone who lives on a First Nation tried to share what they’re passionate about, our communities would be so much better off.  It doesn’t matter what it is — sports, arts, traditional knowledge —  just get out there and share what you have to offer, and our people will be in a better place.

“There have been some amazing workers in the community who have really helped bring it along,” says Carpenter. “Kim Cada gives us gym time and does whatever we need her to do in organizing the tournament.  Community Support Worker Eva Daybutch looks after our budget and represents the health department at all of our games and practices to make sure the kids are in a safe and healthy environment.”

Financial support for the tournament has come from the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charity that sponsors individual players’ basketball shoes.

Carpenter also credits  Right to Play worker  Melisa Morningstar  with promoting the tournament and recruits participants.

“Right to Play has been funding program workers in the area and have even brought a member of the Toronto raptors to our community here,” says Carpenter.

Pier Seventeen Restaurant and Mississaugi Chief and Counsel have also contributed to help with the cost of travel and tournament play.

The Mississaugi teams will be travelling to Batchewana First Nation for a tournament in the spring.