Let the games begin...

Providing everyone could make it to town through the inclement weather of the last few days, the 49th annual edition of the All Native Basketball tournament is set to get underway at Prince Rupert’s Jim Ciccone Civic Centre complex.

While the event itself is one of the premier sports events in the community each year, the spin off effects from it are like a second Christmas for Prince Rupert’s hotel, restaurant and merchant communities.

An injection of people that swells the population for a week and provides for a very handsome return in hotel rooms occupied, meals purchased, nightclubs filled and shopping expeditions made through the downtown area.

As with any event featuring a large number of people arriving in the city in a short period of time, the week long festivities can also at times make for some busy days and nights for the Prince Rupert RCMP, BC Ambulance service, as well as the Prince Rupert hospital and Skeena Taxi.

There have been a few stories in local media about this week’s upcoming tournament, with the Daily News taking a look at how the new border regulations between Canada and the USA may impact the tournament in the years to come, the paper also provided details of a hip hop act that was scheduled to appear during the week.

The Queen Charlotte Observer featured a look at the seven teams from Haida Gwaii that are making the trip for this year’s tournament.

ANBT fans hope border fears unfounded
The Daily News
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Pages one and two

New rules regarding documentation procedures to get across the Canada-U.S. border via land or sea that went into effect Jan. 31 could have an impact on the 49th annual All-Native Basketball Tournament.

As of Jan. 31, it became more difficult to get across the border, leaving some basketball fans questioning whether the new rules may have an impact on Alaskan teams attending the ANBT, which gets underway Sunday.

"I wish them well in trying to deal with the border issues," said Clarence Martin, ANBT chair. "But 9/11 ... it's ripple effects are felt even here in Prince Rupert."

According to the U.S. Homeland Security website (www.dhs.gov), a valid U.S. or Canadian passport is the most efficient way to get across the border, but native Americans also can show a valid Form I-872 American Indian Card or a Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card, while from Canada's end, a Canadian First Nations person can present an Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Card.

Military ID Cards with military travel orders, or a U. S. Merchant Mariner Document is also acceptable.

Citizens do have a dual-document option, which consists of an updated driver’s licence, and birth certificate or certificate of citizenship, but this will take longer to process, and everything is subject to a full background check.

Gone are the days where anyone – Canadian or American – could basically cross the border between Alaska and Canada with ease, ever since changes that began after the 9/11 terrorist outrages. Ever since, the U. S. has been clamping down, and Canada, out of respect for their neighbours, has been following suit.

Martin said that while they always maintain communication with the Alaskan teams, the ANBT Committee has decided not to get involved with border disputes because they go beyond its jurisdiction.

“I talked this over with the committee,” Martin said.

“What they’re asking us to do is (to) jump into international affairs.

“But we only have jurisdiction within the walls of the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre. Our job is to manage the tournament.”

The truth is that the stricter border rules have been indirectly affecting the tournament for a few years now.

The increased security protocol in both the U. S. and Canada made it more difficult in the past for people to cross the border, and increased security during the All Native Basketball Tournament first raised its head in 2005, when well respected player David Edenshaw of the Hydaburg Masters team was turned back because of a minor criminal charge from almost 20 years earlier.

But after involvement from the Alaskan government, the B. C. Consulate of Canada, and from Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond, they were able to get Edenshaw’s paperwork in order and get him to the tournament.

He has not had a problem since, including when he was a coach last year for the 2007 Hydaburg Senior Men’s team that won its seventh consecutive title.

But now, with the new requirements for a full passport, even a pardon likely will not be enough to get across the border without the passport as well.

Skeptics wonder if the increased security at the borders will have an impact long term on the competition with teams deciding not to travel.

Hydaburg’s Sid Edenshaw, in a recent interview, said: “The border rules are changing the tournament.”

An in essence he has a point.

As recently as four years ago, Hydaburg sent three teams to the ANBT, while Metlakatla sent teams in all four divisions, and even Kake, Alaska used to send two. Now, Hydaburg and Kake only send one, while Metlakatla still manages to send two, and in every case, all three villages have said at one time or another they are not sure how long they will continue to attend beyond the 50th anniversary in 2009. But the ANBT Committee is hopeful that everything works out, the Alaskan teams have little trouble gaining access to Prince Rupert this February, and the overall experience keeps the teams returning in future years.

“Id like to see all the Americans continue to come back every year,” said Martin. “Our fans are very happy (the Alaskan teams) can participate, because they provide a good quality of basketball,”

The ANBT runs from Feb 10-16.

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Hip Hop act set to add some bounce to the ANBT
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Aboriginal youth will have another option for entertainment during the All-Native Basketball Tournament.

Local organizers, in conjunction with Christine Smith-Parnell down in Vancouver, have arranged for an Aboriginal hip hop group to perform in Prince Rupert. The first show will be a concert at the Nisga'a Hall Fri., Feb. 8, specifically aimed for youth (although anyone is invited to attend), and then the artists will perform two shows at the Lester Centre of the Arts on Feb. 14.

It's basically a group of eight hip hop artists who perform together as a collective, although not all of them will be in town for the Feb. 8 performance. It is expected they will all be here for the Valentine's Day special, however.

The name of the act is the Sundown Scylistiks

And the group is primarily led by feature artist Teresa Point (a.k.a T Mela D.), and she, along with her fellow performers, use their songs to get positive messages across to youth, including being alcohol and drug free.

"The majority of the ones performing are drug and alcohol free, and they promote that," said Christine Smith-Parnell, who is handling the promotion side of the production down in Vancouver.

"They're excited about (doing the show)."

Over the years, people on the North Coast have been adamant about finding entertainment for youth while the tournament is in full swing, and holding these performances are one way of addressing that, said Smith-Parnell.

"We could not think of anything better than a hip hop group with a positive message," she said.
Friday's show is being referred to as a "kick off" for the ANBT and Aboriginal youth.

"It's different hip hop artists, and a dance for the youth," said Smith-Parnell.

Most of the artists call Vancouver home, although two hail from Kamloops.

Tickets for all shows will be available at the door, or can be purchased in advance by calling 622-2199.

Basketball fever on the rise, as teams prepare for the All-Native
Queen Charlotte Islands Observer

January 30, 2008

Seven Haida Gwaii teams are readying themselves for the annual pilgrimage to Prince Rupert for the All-Native Basketball tournament.

The week-long event (Feb. 10 to 16) is a major focal point says Masset Intermediates coach David Hill.

The All-Native is the tournament his team of under 21-year-olds strives toward.

"Once January comes around they are training extra hard," he says. They are also fundraising extra hard to pay for the week-long stay in a Rupert hotel.

At least 50 teams in four divisions from all over coastal BC and Alaska descend on Prince Rupert for the All-Native tournament, an event that first started in 1960.In Skidegate, Masters coach Kevin Borserio is excited about the event as well.The Skidegate Saints Masters (35 and over) have won the event for the past two years.

"We're going for a three-peat," he said.

The Masters are training hard with three practices a week. They also have some new young 35 year-olds on the team and Sid Edenshaw of Hydaburg, Alaska, voted most valuable player several times, is the team's pick up player.

Other Haida Gwaii teams include the Senior mens teams in Old Massett and Skidegate and the Haida Spirits, a women's team from Old Massett. Belinda Humphries of the Haida Spirits says this is the fourth year in a row Old Massett has sent a women's team.

With games running in two arenas from 8 am to 10 pm, basketball is key at the All-Native, but Mr. Hill, who has been going since he was 15 years-old (about 20 years) says the week is great for connecting with old friends and, if you're lucky, making new ones.

The traditional food available in the auditorium is another perk, he says.

Mr. Borserio encourages islanders to seize the opportunity to catch the action.

"It's a wonderful event. Everyone should experience it," says Mr. Borserio.

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49th Annual All Native Basketball Tournament Kicks Off

CFTK TV 7 News
Fri, 2008-02-08 15:26.

Sahar Nassimdoost
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The 49th Annual All Native Basketball Tournament kicks off in Prince Rupert this Sunday. There will be fifty teams participating from four divisions, including Southeast Alaska.

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The first game takes place on Sunday February 9th and runs till Saturday February 16th. The opening ceremonies will be on Monday February 11th at 7:30pm with a special presentation from the Haisla Nation, as it represents Kitimaat with Kitlope dancers and drummers.

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On friday February 15th also at 7:30pm, the Kitimaat Braves will be inducted into the ANBT Hall of Fame. Just as the tournament wraps up for the players, the ANBT Chair and comittee will be heading back to the drawing board to begin organizing next year's tournament and opening ceremonies for the much anticipated 50th anniversary