Scoring Opportunity for Mille Lacs Band Youth
Some Mille Lacs Band youth participating in the basketball camp finishing a dribble drill with Timberwolves and Lynx staff to see who had the best handles at camp. Various champions were awarded throughout the camp as competition was fierce.
By MASHKODE-BIZHIKGAHBAW, BENJI SAM
Opportunity. Something that was not always given to our people over the course of American history, but finding ourselves taking each chance we can, is opportunity. For generations, Native peoples across this nation served their tribes, served in this country’s military, and have competed in sports at the highest level. Yet we had often lacked the energy and resources to commit to that opportunity on a large scale. Well, not anymore. In August, our Tribe and community center staff put in the time, energy, resources, and drive to engage the community in the game of basketball with a chance to work with some of the highest-level coaches and players in the world with the Minnesota Timberwolves camps.
Basketball, of course, has many ties across Indian Country in its rich history — closely associated and utilizing Native Americans' lacrosse to help mold the foundation of this sport. Today, basketball has grown to become one of the largest sports not only across Indian Country but also the United States and the world. In August at both the new District I Community Center as well as the Meshakwad Community Center, a total of 120 Ge-Niigaanizijig program participants joined members of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx staff for basketball camps to work on skills, techniques, drills, and miniature competitions to become more well-rounded players.
Each day was split into lower and upperclassmen to divide skills and abilities fairly. They completed drills for shooting form, rhythm, and tempo, as well as working on approach to dribble drives, defensive slide and rotations, pick and rolls, and many other fundamental basketball techniques that players must master to be able to play at the next level. Of course, each session could not be complete without its fair share of lightning, shooting competitions, 3-on-3, 5-on-5, and even dribble competitions to keep players engaged as well as give campers a chance to win some Timberwolves/Lynx gear.
With each competition, the campers were able to feel the pressure and approach from the professional level and were able to see what discipline looks like from people who play, coach, and live basketball every day. A message consistently given at each camp was believe in yourself, prepare yourself, and work like today could be your last.
It’s great to see kids pushed to become something more than they thought they could be. At each camp, it is very apparent how hard these folks are working to involve more and more of our local youth and families, and are giving our young people opportunities like we never knew possible. We have two of the nicest fitness facilities across central Minnesota and are staffed with a group of staff members who care deeply about helping our children reach new heights. With each summer camp, bringing in local and world-class talent, our youth are able to experience the next level of talent, competition, and preparation it takes to compete at the highest level. More than any time in our Tribe’s history, our youth have opportunities like they never have before — and it has been something special to see unfold.
Look at upcoming events on the Meshakwad Community Center and District I Community Aquatic and Fitness Center Facebook pages as well as each respective website.
