Brittany Williams has fond memories of winning MVP at the All Native Basketball Tournament at the age of 22. She vividly recalls holding her two-year-old daughter, Kionah, like a prized trophy while her mother, Karen White, beamed with pride from the stands. Basketball has always been in Williams’ blood, with a hoop adorning her driveway from a young age. Little did she know that her mother’s legacy would shape her journey in the sport.
As the third generation in her family to embrace basketball, Williams recognizes the significance of the game to many First Nations people in British Columbia. Beyond its competitive nature, basketball serves as a source of community pride, wellness, and cross-cultural connections. Charles Menzies, a professor of anthropology at the University of British Columbia, compares it to the traditional winter gatherings along the coast, which fostered unity and cultural exchange.
These gatherings were once banned by the Canadian government for over 50 years, leaving First Nations people only able to come together through church services or sporting events. This prohibition spawned tournaments like the All Native and Jr. All Native in B.C., which now see participation from over 140 teams each year in the intense and physical “rez ball.” However, these tournaments serve a larger purpose than just sports; they provide opportunities for cultural and political engagement.
Karen White, Williams’ mother, also won MVP at the All Native Tournament when she was 22 and is thrilled to see her daughter following in her footsteps. Along her own basketball journey, White founded an All Native team in Nanaimo that achieved great success. She instilled a love for the sport in her children, and Williams emerged as the family’s star player.
Beyond the physical and mental health benefits that sports provide, basketball has played a crucial role in the healing journeys of many Indigenous people. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission even dedicated a portion of its Calls to Action to sport and reconciliation, emphasizing the promotion of physical activity for overall well-being. For the White-Williams family, basketball has acted as a deterrent from addiction and has facilitated a deep connection to their culture.
Aside from passing on their passion for basketball, White, a Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Coast Salish grandmother, aims to transmit the cultural aspects associated with playing the sport in B.C. She has worked tirelessly to keep her children involved in sports, their culture, and maintain a balanced lifestyle. As a result, the family has become a role model within their community.
Now spanning three generations, the love for basketball and a healthy lifestyle endures. Williams believes that basketball has the power to change lives, providing structure and purpose to young players. During the pandemic, she formed a girls’ team in her local area, introducing many inexperienced players to the sport. Despite enduring a tough loss in the finals of last year’s JR All Native tournament, Williams is confident that the setback will only fuel their determination to succeed in the future.
For Williams, the most fulfilling aspect of coaching is witnessing her daughter, Kionah, thrive on the court. At just 13 years old, Kionah has already showcased her talent as a starter on her high school’s senior girls basketball team. With a mother like Brittany and a grandmother like White, Kionah understands the weight of her family’s legacy and is motivated to exceed expectations. She envisions a future where all three generations can play together, continuing their basketball dynasty and preserving their shared heritage.
Amidst its various benefits, basketball is ultimately beloved among First Nations communities because it is pure fun. It serves as a powerful symbol of pride, resilience, and cultural connection, providing a much-needed outlet for joy in a world often plagued by negativity.
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