At the opening ceremonies of the 2025 Junior All-Native Basketball Tournament (JANT) in Kelowna, a song in the Nsyilxcən language of the Syilx-Okanagan Nation welcomed spectators to the event. The words translate to: “we are beautiful because our lands are beautiful."
“That's our Syilx-Okanagan anthem," says Pauline Terbasket, a Syilx Matriarch and Executive Director of the Okanagan Nation Alliance.
“We want to promote wellness," says Terbasket, about being a part of the host Nation. “JANT is about wellness. It's about enjoying community through sport."
Pauline Terbasket stands outside of Kelowna Secondary School where she was watching her great-nieces play in the U17 Girl's division.
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is a proud sponsor of the 2025 JANT which runs March 16 – 21 in Syilx-Okanagan territory. Over 1,500 First Nations youth athletes representing a record 114 teams from communities across BC are gathered for a week of competition and culture. FNHA is on site engaging youth on what wellness services they feel are important to them.
“Our youth voice matters," says Lisa Montgomery-Reid, FNHA Vice-President, Regional Operations, Interior Region. “This is a family event, and it becomes a basketball family where we are there for each other. I really believe in walking alongside our communities and especially our kids. We need to be community-driven as we do this work of providing health and wellness services."
FNHA's Lisa Montgomery-Reid is a former player and the mother of three players.
Youth taking in first JANT experience
Keira Chillihitzia is a 15-year-old Syilx youth playing in her first JANT.
“I like it a lot. It connects me [to my culture] more. It just reminds me of when I was younger," she says, before joining her team in a smudge circle following their second win of the week.
Chillihitzia has experience playing both high school and club basketball, but says All-Native hoops run much deeper and looks forward to many more years of playing alongside fellow Syilx youth.
“There's a lot more dedication because a lot of people are traveling and are committed to it. They're here for a reason," she says.
Keira Chillihitzia says All-Native basketball is played at a much faster pace than high school ball.
Tournament expands, adds new division
This year JANT expanded to include a U10 division in addition to the U13 and U17 divisions. There were also communities sending teams for the very first time such as Williams Lake First Nation and Lower Nicola Indian Band. This continued growth excites Terbasket, who still fondly remembers when Syilx-Okanagan Nation hosted JANT for the first time over 30 years ago.
“It's generational. I'm watching great-nieces and great-nephews. Their moms and dads played basketball. Their grandparents played basketball. It's something in the community that encourages the importance of good health, the importance of being active [and] physical wellness."
As the U17 Syilx Girl's team gathered for their smudge circle, Terbasket watched another generation breathe in their culture. The Okanagan sun was beginning to set, and the U17 Syilx Boys were in the change room getting ready for their next game. Whether it's basketball or soccer or hockey or the rodeo, Terbasket says being active is at the core of being a Syilx person.
“Our ancestors were always very active people whether it was fishing, hunting, harvesting or gathering. JANT is about reminding ourselves to get involved and encourage others to get involved for the wellness and wellbeing of our people."
