Taylor Bachrach, Member of Parliament for Skeena-Bulkley Valley, attended the 65th Annual All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert from February 7-15. Bachrach spoke about the significance of the event, which has become a cornerstone of community and cultural pride in the region. He highlighted the powerful opening ceremony, which featured over 100 drummers and dancers, bringing together a crowd of over a thousand people to celebrate unity and tradition.
Bachrach emphasized the role of sports events like the tournament in fostering connections across communities, noting that they bridge differences and teach valuable life skills such as leadership and respect. He also praised the new women’s masters division, seeing it as an important step forward for women’s sports in the area.
In addition to his support for the tournament, Bachrach and his office used the event to raise awareness for the Red Dress Alert initiative, aimed at creating a national alert system for missing Indigenous women. Reflecting on the economic impact, Bachrach acknowledged the tournament’s importance for local businesses, as it draws visitors from across the region, generating significant tourism and revenue for Prince Rupert.
