The Snaw-naw-as Sawbills recently returned from their first trip to the Junior All Native basketball tournament in Kelowna and have plans to return to the same tournament in Langley in 2026. (Snaw-Naw-As Sawbills)

By Dan Marshall

Youth Basketball

Snaw-naw-as Sawbills youth basketball combines cultural tradition and sport

Apr 13, 2025 | 5:29 AM

SNAW-NAW-AS — The U13 and U17 Snaw-naw-as Sawbills basketball teams made their first ever appearance at the Junior All Native basketball tournament in Kelowna.

Over 100 teams took part with some larger nations having multiple teams.

The smaller Snaw-naw-as nation drew some players from nearby communities according to Natasha Bob, whose son Benson plays on the U17 squad..

“We’re a smaller nation so we have players fron Snuneymuxw, Stz’uminus and Nuu-chah-nulth. Some of the other nations have hundreds and hundreds of band members but we have to work a little extra harder to get there.”

14-year-old Benson Nelson doesn’t play organized basketball at school so being a part of the Sawbills team is extra special for him.

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“As a player I was very proud of my nation for getting to go to such a beautiful place. I’ve never played on such a big stage with such a big crowd. Being around other indigenous youth it’s lots of fun and there’s so many connections.”

The U-17 Sawbills got into three games at the tournament and Bob said she felt a strong connection to all of them.

“As a parent and an auntie and a cousin, because all of the players are my relatives, I was so proud. They worked really hard all year preparing for the tournament. We had an opporunity to play first nations communities from all over BC and some are the top teams with very talented players.We have a few players at the point of aging out soon. For some of them it was their last game in that age division. It was emotional for them knowing next year will be a bit different.”

Snaw-naw-as is looking to expand their basketball program to include girls teams in the near future and many of the athletes are also involved in soccer, lacrosse football and padding.

Bob said a key difference between the First Nation team and a community or school squad is the incorporation of tradition values.

Soon the U17 Sawbills will be playing in another tournament on Vancouver Island.

“We have a tournament in May in the Tseshaht nation in Port Alberni, Bob said. “We might have exhibition games and we’re preparing to go next year to the Junior All Native Tournament.”

The Junior All Native tournament is in Langley in 2026. The players on the court are practicing, usually at the Orca Lelum facility. Another aspect is fundraising. The Sawbills had a seaweed fundraiser at the Snaw-naw-as nation on Apr. 6 and they’re having another on Apr. 13.

“The seaweed sale is going to help us with our tournament fees and our travel. For people doing their gardening we have some of the best seaweed in Nanoose Bay that people can add to their garden. We’re having the sale this Sunday and it’s by donation.”

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