kiɁlawnaɁ (Kelowna), British Columbia– Get ready for one of the largest and most anticipated basketball tournaments in Canada – the Jr. All Native Tournament (JANT) – which kicks off in Kelowna, B.C. this Sunday, March 16th, at 2:00 PM for Opening Ceremonies at UBC Okanagan. With over 110 teams and more than 1200 youth from across the province participating, this tournament will be the biggest gathering of First Nations youth athletes in British Columbia.

The Jr. All Native Tournament brings together young First Nations athletes from across the region to showcase their sportsmanship, and passion for the game. It is an event where players, families, and supporters come together to reconnect, build new relationships, and honor the rich traditions of First Nations basketball. Representing over 100 First Nations communities, athletes aged 6-17 will compete across various divisions, including the traditional 17U boys and girls categories.

“This tournament is so much more than just a basketball competition,” said Tara Montgomery, JANT tournament director and member of the Syilx Nation. “There were so many littles who just wanted to play basketball and follow in the footsteps of their siblings or cousins. We see the impact that this tournament has on our youth and children. For me, it’s for the kids. I think, in this day and age, anything we can do to support our youth is worth it.”

“Bringing First Nations youth together through basketball is about more than just the game—it’s about connection, culture, and creating opportunities. When our young people step onto the court, they’re building confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging. As a coach, my goal is to support and uplift them, and this is what we hope to achieve,” said Peter Waardenburg, Syilx Head Coach.

JANT is supported by numerous community partners and sponsors, including SD23, First Nations Health Authority, BC Hydro, Mandell Pinder, Columbia Power Corporation, EMB, Associated Engineers, Aboriginal Policing, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, and ISPARK, all of whom help make this incredible event possible.

The tournament not only provides an opportunity for young athletes to showcase their development as athletes, but it also offers a platform for connection, cultural pride, and growth. The Opening Ceremonies will serve as a powerful celebration of sport, unity, and community.
Date: Sunday March 16th – Friday March 21st
Locations: https://jant.ca/gyms/
Time: https://jant.ca/schedules/
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For over 40 years the Jr. All Native Tournament (JANT) has brought teams together from First Nations villages and communities throughout BC to compete, celebrate and connect through the game of basketball. JANT takes place every year during spring break, promoting sportsmanship, cultural pride, and community. The tournament moves each year between three regions: the North, Coast and Interior.

For further information please contact:
Tara Montgomery, Tournament Director
C: 250-862-6866 E: tmontgomery@syilx.org

 

MEDIA ADVISORY-JANT 2025

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Syilx Okanagan Territory: The Chiefs Executive Council is angered by the harmful comments by MLA Dallas Brodie (Vancouver-Quilchena) and her blatant racism towards survivors of Indian residential schools. These comments are insulting and traumatizing to our Elders, survivors, and families. We are distressed about how these comments infiltrate all levels of government and are further […]

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snpinktn (Penticton), Syilx Territory: The Syilx Okanagan Nation and the Wild Sheep Society of BC invited the community to join them in honoring the yilíkʷlxkn (Bighorn Sheep) at a significant ceremony that marked the official opening of the pens for the upcoming Psoroptic Mange drug trials. This important event took place at the Penticton Indian […]

Salmon Restoration Efforts at Risk After Colville Confederated Tribes’ Political Decision to Walk Away from 15-Year Sockeye Restoration Partnership with Syilx Okanagan Nation ntytyix sockeye salmon have always been a priority in Syilx Okanagan Nation’s restoration efforts; 80% of Columbia River salmon originate from the Okanagan, where the majority spawn in Canada. This year, upwards […]

B.C. faces potential transborder claims by U.S. Indigenous citizens across the province. Author of the article: Chief Robert Louie for Vancouver Sun Prioritizing B.C. First Nations is the legally and morally right thing to do. It supports local economies and helps fight rural economic disparities. Should a U.S.-based tribe that already receives hundreds of millions […]

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tkwəɬniwt (Westbank), Syilx Territory: Approximately 700 bighorn sheep are spread across four population units in the Okanagan and Similkameen portions of Syilx Okanagan Territory: Granby, South Okanagan, Similkameen-Ashnola, and Westside Road. These units are geographically isolated with limited interactions. The health of the yilíkʷlxkn (Okanagan bighorn sheep herds)  has been compromised by several diseases, including […]

snpinktn (Penticton), Syilx Territory — September 30, 2024 On a sunny Monday of reflection and healing, approximately 500 participants including the Syilx survivors, elders, nation members, local leaders, and allies gathered in snpinktn, Penticton to commemorate the children who never returned home from Indian residential schools and celebrated the resilience of survivors and their families […]

snpinktn (Penticton), Syilx Territory: Join us on Truth and Reconciliation Day for a meaningful 2 km walk honoring the children who never returned home and to honor the resilience of survivors and the memory of those affected by the Indian residential school system. The walk culminates at the Syilx Indian Residential School monument, kʷu səckm̓antaʔx […]

The ONA Chiefs Executive Council brought 26 leaders together on September 11 for the newly formed Okanagan and Similkameen River Watershed’s Collaborative Leadership Table to discuss shared water challenges. This was the third Leadership Table meeting and is a historic moment and turning point in regional watershed planning as the leaders committed to signing a […]

On August 30th, the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA), with our Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative (CRSRI) partners, Ktunaxa Nation Council (KNC), Secwépemc Nation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the BC Ministry of Water Land and Resource Stewardship performed a second release of adult sc’win (sockeye salmon) to the Arrow Lakes. […]

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On July 11th, the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA), with our Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative (CRSRI) partners, Ktunaxa Nation Council (KNC), Secwépemc Nation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the BC Ministry of Water Land and Resource Stewardship released 16 adult sc’win (sockeye salmon) to the Arrow Lakes. These salmon were […]

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The Syilx Okanagan Nation acknowledges the completion of an Agreement in Principle (AIP) between Canada and the United States to modernize the Columbia River Treaty (CRT), which is a milestone in the Canada-US CRT negotiations: Statement by the Prime Minister on an agreement-in-principle reached between Canada and the United States on the Columbia River Treaty […]

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