Photo from the 2025 Beauchamp Foundation Basketball Camp /Photo courtesy of Tsuut'ina Health and Wellness Services
Basketball is one of the biggest sports in many First Nation communities, with tournaments like the Blackfoot Invitational in Siksika, which draws in teams from across Turtle Island.
From August 4 to August 5, approximately 157 youth gathered at the Many Horses High School located next door to the Seven Chiefs Sportplex and Jim Startlight Memorial Centre in Tsuut’ina for a two-day camp that not only improved their skills on the court, but they also learned valuable life lessons off the court with current NBA New York Nicks’ Small Forward Marjon Beauchamp.
Originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022 as the first round, 24th pick, and member of the 2024 NBA Milwaukee Bucks Championship Team, Marjon Beauchamp came out to the Tsuut’ina Nation to inspire the next generation of basketball players while he connects to his First Nation Heritage.
Adam Strom, who is the current Head Female Basketball Coach at Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas, USA, and a family friend of Beauchamp, says holding the camp is important to Beauchamp as he wants to inspire First Nation Youth on both sides of the border.
One of the goals of the camp is not only to encourage youth to lead a healthy lifestyle through sport, but it is also a way to help them break the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
During the two-day camp, Lacy Runner, Director of Tsuut’ina Health and Wellness Services, witnessed the bleachers packed with parents and guardians watching their youth grow during the camp, and says the skills they learned will have a long-term impact on their relationship with other Indigenous Communities.
Because of the success of the camp, Tsuut’ina Health and Wellness Services is already planning on similar camps in the future, as Tsuut’ina, along with other Nations in Treaty 7, have members who are professional athletes in various sports.
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