A Whirlwind Week: Community Visits, LSIBL Preparations, and Navigating Winter in the Prairies (December 5-7, 2024)

On December 4, I traveled from Ottawa to Saskatoon, diving into a busy schedule of school visits and preparations for the Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League (LSIBL) Junior Division Provincial Championships, which were set to take place on December 8th. With 300 athletes traveling from across the province, excitement was in the air—though Mother Nature had other plans.

December 5: A Winter Wonderland in Salteaux First Nation

Mike (Tanton) and I had the privilege of visiting Salteaux First Nation, near North Battleford, Saskatchewan. The drive itself was stunning, with the frozen lakes and hoar frost transforming the landscape into a scene straight out of a winter wonderland.

Our day began with a presentation to grades 5-8, where we shared our personal journeys with basketball, how our paths converged, and the vision behind LSIBL and other initiatives. The students and teachers were warm, engaged, and so welcoming.

After lunch, we ran basketball workshops with the grade 5/6 and 7/8 classes. Their enthusiasm and willingness to try new skills made the sessions incredibly rewarding. The joy in the gym was infectious, and it was a true privilege to spend time with such a wonderful community.

December 6: School Visits at W.P. Bate and King George Community School

The next morning, I returned to W.P. Bate School to work with their grade 7/8 class. While the group started out a bit reserved, they soon warmed up and brought incredible energy to our session. I’m so grateful to the W.P. Bate team for giving me the opportunity to connect with their students.

In the afternoon, I visited King George Community School, where I worked with two classes: grade 5/6 and grade 6/7. A highlight of my day was meeting a student who participates in the LSIBL. She was thrilled to demonstrate skills she had learned at practice, and her excitement was truly heartwarming.

Before leaving, I left the students with an important message: I’m rooting for them both on and off the court. It’s vital for young people to know that they are seen, valued, and supported, and I feel privileged to be part of their journey.

Preparations for LSIBL Provincials

After wrapping up the school visits, I met Randi MacDonald, LSIBL Consultant, at our storage locker to load materials for the Provincial Championships. We packed basketballs, jerseys, signage, wellness supplies, score sheets, and other essentials into a U-Haul in preparation for the big event.

Unfortunately, Saskatoon was hit with a severe winter storm that evening. With freezing rain and up to 8 inches of snow forecasted, we made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the Provincials. While disappointing, the safety of our athletes and families was our top priority.

GETTING TO Poppy

The storm created additional complications, including concerns about making it to the airport for my flight on Monday. Feeling homesick and fatigued after weeks of travel, I decided to drive back to home on Saturday to spend time with Poppy on Sunday before departing for the AmeriCup on Monday morning. I was also able to watch her hockey game on Sunday morning.

It has been an incredibly demanding year, and the last few weeks have been especially draining. I cherish any additional time with her and have realized how important that is for my mental health and overall well-being. And as any working mother (or parent) can likely relate to, the constant mom guilt really eats at me over time and prevents me from being present while away.

IN Summary

This week highlighted the highs and lows of leadership and community work. From the joy of connecting with students to the heartbreak of canceling an event we had worked so hard to prepare for, I’m reminded that every moment—whether easy or difficult—contributes to the larger mission of fostering connection, growth, and opportunity through sport.

I remain deeply grateful for the communities, schools, and athletes I’ve had the privilege to work with and look forward to the impact we’ll continue to create together.