The 62nd All Native Basketball Tournament (ANBT) wrapped up in Prince Rupert this weekend after seven days of competition, returning to the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre after a two-year hiatus.

“This tournament now is no longer just a sporting event, we have our cultural night and groups send in an application for the opening ceremonies and it’s a sense of pride for any community to open the tournament,” said Peter Haugan, lead organizer and chairperson for the ANBT.

The tournament kicked off with more than 25 teams from all across British Columbia, descending on Prince Rupert from communities as far away as Burnaby and Hydaburg, Alaska.

The ANBT is also a major boost for the local economy in Prince Rupert, especially for hotels and restaurants that were hit hard by the absence of tourism over the past two years due to COVID-19 restrictions.

In the end, the women’s top title went to Vancouver All My Relations, a first for them. The intermediate title went to Van City, which won over home town rivals Prince Rupert.

The senior men’s division was captured by the Kitkatla Warriors, a third championship for them, inching out Metlakatla. And in the men’s masters championship, a Nisga’a showdown with New Aiyansh, capturing their second ANBT title in a row, pushing out Gitwanksilk.

Listen to the full report below: