March 2027 will mark the first time in its 51 year history that the Junior All Native Basketball Tournament (JANT) will take place in Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh, bringing roughly 120 teams and 2000 youth athletes with it. An occasion of this scale demands an official host, and at UNBC’s Northern Sport Centre on Friday April 24th the Nak’azdli Whut’en Trees youth basketball team were designated with that title. The announcement drew in a crowd of reporters, elected officials, and Tourism PG to acknowledge the significance of the Fort St. James based team hosting JANT. Finally, the tournament is within a two hour drive from home for the team and its supporters. This allows many to attend the tournament for the first time.
While Tournament Director, Erica McLean admits the tournament will be hard to miss when it’s on, she referenced significant effort that occurs behind the scenes in the lead up. Filling us in on what keeps critical volunteers motivated to raise the tournament’s latitude, and continuously recruit players year over year, were Trees manager Murial Sam, along with tireless fundraisers Winnie Sam and Lori Gauthier. After witnessing youth of different teams and ages demonstrate leadership, Gauthier expressed that, “it reminds me that at one time we all, all of our nations, worked together and helped each other.” She reflected, “it’s nice to see the youth doing the same thing.”
If anyone wants to be a sponsor or volunteer to help with the event email jantbasketball@gmail.com, visit jant.ca or find them on social media.
- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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