January in review

LSIBL Provincial Championships 

As mentioned in a previous post, our Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League Provincial Championships were originally scheduled for December- but as anyone living on the prairies knows, winter had other plans. A major storm rolled in with icy roads, forcing us to postpone.

On January 18, we were finally able to follow through with our promise to our teams and 250 athletes from across the province made their way to Martensville for a full day of games, workshops, cultural education, delicious food, and a well-deserved celebration of a successful season. Teams traveled from as far north as La Loche, and as far south as Regina, filling all four gyms with energy and excitement.

The day was packed with meaningful experiences- hoop dancing, beading, and two engaging workshops with the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society were among the many highlights. We were also thrilled to have Bannock Express drop off Bison Burgers on Bannock for the athletes-an absolute hit!

It turned into a 16-hour day- exhausting, yes, but so incredibly rewarding. Watching the athletes engage, learn, and celebrate together made every moment worthwhile. A heartfelt shoutout to our incredible team for their passion, commitment, and tireless efforts to make this day possible. We are truly lucky to have the best in the business.

Future Sport Indigenous Basketball Camp 

While I was in Saskatchewan for the LSIBL Championships, I had the opportunity to partner with Sask Sport to run the Future Sport Indigenous Basketball Camp. The camp focused on skill development and enhancement for athletes eligible to compete at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in 2027.

We ran a morning skills session followed by games and competitions in the afternoon. Some athletes traveled over eight hours just to attend. I was deeply moved by the commitment shown by both the athletes and their parents/caregivers- it was a powerful reminder of the drive (pun intended) it takes to chase a dream. As an athlete, it reignited something in me: there are no excuses- just find a way.

Some of the athletes who attended left a lasting impression, and I can’t wait to cheer them on in their journey to NAIG 2027.

EmpowHer Summit 

This month also took me to Calgary, where I was honoured to be a guest speaker at the EmpowHer Summit- an inspiring event dedicated to educating, empowering, and celebrating girls and women in sport.

Athletes from across the city and province gathered alongside guest speakers from all over the country. The summit featured keynote talks, breakout education sessions, roundtable discussions, panels, interactive activities, and plenty of excitement with food and prizes.

I was grateful to sit on a Q&A panel with some truly incredible women, including Shannon Winzer (head coach of Team Canada Volleyball), Cara Currie Hall (founder of NAIG and World Indigenous Games, and an advocate who helped bring sport to the UN as a fundamental human right), with the discussion facilitated by Olympian and sports lawyer Jolan Storch.

It was such a powerful and inspiring event to be part of. I left feeling energized and grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many passionate athletes, coaches, and change-makers. These moments of community and shared purpose remind me why I love what I do.

World literacy day

For World Literacy Day, I was invited to read to the Grade 4 class at the Children of St. Martha School and participate in an activity where students identified their superpower. Initially, many students were convinced they didn't have a superpower, so I enjoyed watching and helping them discover what makes them special and unique. The classroom atmosphere shifted from one of doubt to one of celebration, as each student began to recognize their individual strengths. They drew pictures and wrote short descriptions of their superpowers, which not only boosted their self-esteem but also fostered a sense of community as they shared their creations with one another.

personal highlight

I felt incredibly honoured to be chosen as one of three athletes worldwide to be highlighted in the Costco Connections magazine for January. During my interview, I shared tips on how I maintain my health as a working mom training for the Olympics. With 60 million copies printed, I was thrilled to receive numerous messages and connect with friends and family surprised to see my photo.