Editor's Note: CFNR is a 2023 sponsor of the All Native Basketball Tournament. 

The 63rd annual All Native Basketball Tournament is officially underway following the culture filled opening ceremony. While games started on Feb. 11, the opening ceremony marked the beginning of the event on Feb. 12. 

Annually, teams from all over British Columbia, and even from as far as Hydaburg, Alaska, travel to Prince Rupert to compete for their communities at the sports event. 

During the opening ceremony, the Laxgalts’ap Culture Dancers were asked to perform a variety of songs and dances to welcome not only the players but the spectators as well. The culture dancers were preceded by the Prince Rupert chiefs and matriarchs, who made their way around the gym to welcome the spectators to their territory. Over 150 dancers then entered the gymnasium drumming, singing, and dancing. All 55 teams then walked in, organized by community, some performing the traditional dance of their tribe. 

During the speeches that followed, both the Nisga’a and Nuxalk Nations' efforts to repatriate their stolen totem poles were mentioned. 

The tournament was started in 1959, just eight years after the potlatch ban was lifted in 1951, so participating in cultural practices, such as the tribal dance, was a big draw for many. The tribal dance portion of the night saw hundreds of participants get up after hearing their tribe called to dance.

Traditional tribal dance had hundreds of people out of their seats. Photo by Morgyn Budden (CFNR).

"You wanna know one of the reasons why we sing that song? Because it’s vitally important for some of us to understand what we call our 'ayuuk' (laws), and a big part of our laws is dance,” dance group representative Andrew Robinson explained afterward.  

After 63 years, the opening ceremony is now the biggest night of the tournament, with people coming from surrounding communities specifically for the event. 

The All Native Basketball Tournament will run until Feb. 18 at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert.

Listen to the CFNR story below: