All Native Basketball Tournament facts for kids

The All Native Basketball Tournament is the largest basketball tournament in British Columbia and the largest Indigenous cultural event in Canada. The tournament is hosted by Prince Rupert, BC, and attracts upwards of 4 000 people, which includes the athletes, coaches, and spectators. Competitors for the tournament span from Vancouver Island to Alaska. Peter Haugan, who is the president of the tournament, estimated that $4 to $5 million dollars is generated in Prince Rupert from the annual tournament being held in the city.

The All Native Basketball Tournament was founded on Village Pride and it is what separates this event from other tournaments and events.

Historical overview

The All Native Basketball Tournament was established in 1947 under the name the Northern British Columbia Coast Indian Championship Tournament (NBCCICT). The first tournament in 1947 was held in the Roosevelt Gymnasium where 400 people came out to support the event. The tournament was created in order to build the Native community through friendly competition. In 1953, the NBCCICT was cancelled due to lack of interest amongst the tribes. In 1959, the tournament was resurrected and began play on March 2nd, 1960 under the new name the All Native Basketball Tournament.

Tournament breakdown and past champions

The All Native Basketball Tournament has four divisions with approximately 50 teams competing throughout all the divisions. When the tournament restarted back up in 1960, there were only two divisions, Senior and Intermediate. The 1960 tournament had 15 teams competing for their two respective titles. In 1993, the basketball tournament expanded to include two new divisions, Women’s and Masters.

The Senior division has had many teams dominate for long stretches of time, accumulating many championships. In 1997, Hydaburg got their first tournament win, and they currently hold the record for the most Senior championship victories with 13. Hydaburg (Alaska) has the most Masters championships in the tournament with seven. In the intermediate division, the wins have been more dispersed between many teams and Metlakatla (Alaska) currently has the most championship wins with eight. In the Women’s division, Metlakatla (British Columbia) has accumulated the most championships wins with eight.

2019 tournament

The 2019 tournament took place from February 10 to February 16. The games were broadcast via live web broadcast and radio so that the games were more accessible. Tournament officials sought to expand the tournament and want it to be recognized by all people throughout Canada, not just Native individuals.

2019 tournament winners

• Senior: Kitkatla
• Women's: Kitamaat
• Master's: Hydaburg, AK
• Intermediate: Skidegate