Native American Appreciation Night with Lady Cougars!

This was quite the unusual type of event for me for many reasons one; I’m a UW Husky and WSU Cougars are our mortal enemies, two; the ladies on the opposing team are Umatilla, sister Tribes to the Yakama, and three; my mom although a UW Graduate, is at heart, a Cougar from her WAZZU Undergrad years. So, I was very excited to go, since the Yakama Nation Youth Activities, LISTEN Program invited me and I played basketball in high school and love it!

With the Wapato and Toppenish kids, and Patsy Whitefoot. 

The event was put on by the Lady Cougars Basketball Team and I first heard about this game while at the WSU Fall Powwow this past October. The Basketball Team made an appearance and invited all to come check it out. They were to play against Louisville University, where Umatilla Ballplayer Shoni Schimmel and her sister Jude Schimmel play. They’re family are the stars on the recent film, “Off the Rez,” where their success story about basketball is shared. In honor of recognizing the accomplishments of these ladies, royalties were invited to attend and be recognized at half time. Yakama Nation Youth Activities Program in conjunction with Johnson O’Malley, sponsored two Greyhounds to bus people to the game in Pullman. My family and I enjoyed the ride with various kids and other families as we jammed out to the films; Elf, and Coach Carter.

Wave!

Basketball is a big thing in Indian Country and brings families, and people together. Although I didn’t get to speak at this event, I thoroughly savored every moment of the game—which was very close—reminiscing of my younger years. Hanging out with Miss Pah-Loots-Pu is always fun, this year’s WSU Powwow Queen is Chelsie Pratt, who hails from the Warm Springs Reservation. All our Queens are lovely examples to our youth about leadership, and pursuing your dreams. It was amazing being able to meet with the younger royalties, Miss and Lil Miss Julyamsh. It means a lot to our Native youth to see themselves in these big places, and having our youth visit any college is a great way to reinforce the idea that they can pursue higher education, and that it is normal for Natives to be getting their degrees. Shoni and Jude are an inspiration, heroes even and just the tip of the ice berg of the talent within each of our Native children. They’re story empowers me to remember that I learned a lot about myself through basketball: my strengths, the limits I put on myself, and how far I can push to be all I can be. It meant the world to me, when I was little, to see strong ladies duking it out on the court, whether they were Native or not, so being able to watch these Native ladies play college ball and to see all the kids they’ve lifted up is definitely something I’ll treasure. 

Making it in Muckleshoot

The Powwow was held at the Muckleshoot Tribal School, and it was my first time there. There were a few other events going on throughout the day, and earlier that morning I visited the Bazaar at a local Muckleshoot Church. While helping my dad put up his booth, I got the chance to talk with a young girl who was volunteering with the fry bread. She had just won a scholarship to visit DC Arlington National Cemetery for an essay she had entered with her school at Enumclaw! Awesome!! She was already doing great things and she was only in the 8^th grade! It’s always a pleasure to see our youth having the courage to allow their education to take them places. Unfortunately she couldn't make it to the Powwow later that evening, but our conversation was enough to light up the gray overcast day.

With the royalties

That evening we drove into the driveway of the Muckleshoot Tribal School, it was a beautiful newly remodeled building. I know it definitely boosts morale and pride when you’re school building looks as fit as a 4A city school. It’s always special to me when cultural events are held at schools, and I always try to acknowledge and recognize why it’s important that Tribes are the ones teaching our youth. “Education” and “culture” aren’t opposites in my opinion, they go hand in hand. As I walked in the stands, I shook hands with people and wished them happy holidays. The evening was quiet, and I got to enjoy seeing my cousin dance Fancy Shawl. My dad sold his Deer jerky and the raffle tickets for Clear Sky Native Youth Council. As I watched the dancing, I reflected on that girl and how supportive her family was, and how proud her grandmother was when we were speaking. I had shared with her that this was just the tip of the iceberg and that there are many more things to come when you go to college, more opportunities. It makes me glad for the Native mentors both in our families and in our schools, and knowing that little girl has some gives me hope to see more of our youth flexing their talents.      

Honoring our Sports Warriors!

I was asked by my friend Angelo Baca to attend and speak at the Sports Warriors Honoring Dinner at the Duwamish Longhouse. He does a lot of work with the youth at Big Sky High School, he's also a filmmaker and he and I know each other from UW. But he also happens to be an medal winning competitive runner! He was hosting the Sports Warriors Team who would be competing in an upcoming race the next day at the USATF National Championship Race at in South Seattle. Many of these people were once affiliated with Wings for America, a national organization that empowers Native youth through running. I learned about them at NCAI, where I met their Program Director, Dustin Martin. Dustin was promoting the film , “Run to the East,” a documentary about Native kids fresh out of high school who are competitive runners. One of the kids from the film was actually there that night at the dinner! Wow!! It reminded me that there are Natives who are pursuing healthy lifestyles and who are fighting to live in balance. Quite honestly I was bubbling with anticipation to see these young people who were being such good examples of living drug-free and alcohol-free simply by being themselves.   

These athletes introduce themselves.

My dad was a runner in his younger years, and he always encouraged me to be healthy, and athletic, both spiritually and physically. It reminded me of how he would always tell me to pray before a basketball game, and often I’ve found a similarity in Native athletes; the blending of cultural spirituality with sports. All in all, I can’t say what it was that fascinated most about this event, the athletes, or perhaps it was because I wanted motivation to work out more often. I’m sure I got both. Throughout the evening we listened as various runners were asked to share their story and what inspires them about running. There were a men’s team and a women’s team. They all sounded so strong and independent! Yet the room was full with their families and people who supported them.

Angelo's introduction.

When I spoke I asked the team to stand up so we could applaud them. I said how thankful I was to be there and how inspiring they were for me and that their example will bless the upcoming youth even if they themselves can’t tell yet. I said how their stories made me think of people like Billy Mills, youth like Shoni Schimmel, and the long history of Native athletic games like Lacrosse. These runners are part of that history and although they’re young, they're making that history every day, and every time they compete. I thanked them for coming to the Pacific Northwest to share their talent and it’s my sincere hope for them to continue to be successful and to keep pushing themselves. In a way I feel like they are doing what many people wish they could by staying healthy and strong. They’re definitely an example for me to keep exercising, and I know they’ll continue to be an example for more people to come. 

With the Women's Team!