Featuring an inspiring keynote speech delivered by a world-leading Canadian basketball star, the Nisga’a Employment Skills and Training hosted its inaugural gala July 26 in Gitlaxt’aamiks (New Aiyansh).
Attracting more than 100 attendees to the Gitlaxt’aamiks Recreational Centre, the evening celebrated the hard works of Nisga’a individuals who have pursued and achieved personal successes.
Recognized Nisga’a citizens and partners were given original prints by Nisga’a artists Michael Dangeli, and contributions from organizations, employers and partners were also acknowledged. The evening included a traditional meal with barbecued salmon, smoked salmon belly, and fresh crab provided by Nisga’a caterer Russell Morven.
The event’s highlight was a keynote speech delivered by Michael Linklater, a Nehiway (Cree) man who is considered to be one of the best 3-on-3 basketball players in the world. He is the captain of the Canadian 3-on-3 national team, which will represent Canada in the 2020 Olympics. Descending from the Thunderchild First Nation located on Treaty 6 territory, he said he calls Saskatoon home.
“I was extremely grateful to be invited out to their community and help celebrate and recognize a number of the tribal members,” Linklater said over the phone. “To be invited to offer the keynote presentation was a great experience, I was able to sit down with some of the community members and share a wonderful salmon meal with them and take in some of their culture.”
He began his speech with an overview of his basketball accomplishments, and then moved onto stories from off the sporting field, providing insights into facing struggle, being resilient and persevering, and the importance of representing his culture wherever he goes.
“I think what was important was to remind them that when they’re having a conversation with themselves, as we all do, to be kind to themselves in what they say. It’s important to understand that what you believe or what you think about yourself is always true,” he said.
“And I let them know that it didn’t matter what I said to them that night, it really mattered what they said to themselves that night and what they wanted to take home, and what they tell themselves each and every day. So I shared with them about believing — a lot of people who accomplished great things in life always believed in themselves. And sometimes people don’t have that reminder, [so] it’s important for them.”
He said a lot of people approached him after the speech to share their thoughts and positive reactions, including one inspired Nisga’a elder.
“It was very humbling to have him share that with me,” he said.
Linklater said events like this that recognize and lift-up the accomplishments of others are important.
“It was a great event because it encourages them to continue on their path and it helps to inspire other people who are closely related, or have close relationships with some of people who were being recognized that evening,” he said. “It just helps to provide more visible rolemodels in their community.”
brittany@terracestandard.com
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