In February, the Nuxalk Nation’s Acwsalcta Thunder made history by winning its first provincial high school basketball championship.
The Nuxalk girls’ team, representing the Nation’s independent Acwsalcta School, had placed third in 2024 and second in 2025, making this year’s victory all that much sweeter. The girls, who only have eight players in total (the smallest team from the smallest community in the tournament), were seeded first entering the tournament after over a dozen games. They won by a healthy margin, topping off a great year for this seasoned group of players.
“We built ourselves up for this moment,” said Annika Parr.
In the months leading up to provincials the girls worked hard, practicing multiple times a week and attending as many tournaments as they could. Having played together for years, many since they were little, the girls credited their chemistry on the court for delivering their big win.
“At least five of us have been playing together since we were very young,” said Annika Parr. “We definitely have a lot of chemistry together, and all of us connected very well. We know how to play together.”
“Each player has a position and part that they play, and they play their positions well,” said coach Nedeea Siwallace.
However, being such a small team meant they didn’t get a lot of breaks. Teams typically have 12 to 15 players; Acwsalcta only had eight in total, meaning the girls played hard the entire time.
“I feel like for me it was mostly adrenaline,” said Ayanna Parr. “Especially with all the people there cheering for us.”
However, as everyone knows, big achievements such as a provincial championship don’t come without a ton of work and dedication. The girls shared that they counted on each other to commit to practices and workouts, always texting one another and encouraging each other to come out.
“We definitely leaned on each other,” said Annika. “We all needed to show up to get the feeling of the game together.”
That feeling was undoubtedly helped along by their long history of play and their dogged determination, which has proven to be legendary. The Parr twins’ mother, Wilma Schooner, remembers them chipping ice off the court to get practice time in and countless hours on the road with their teammates and a group of dedicated parents.
“The team started with Annika, Ayanna, Skylene and Kashlyn at eight years old traveling to the states,” shared Schooner. “Throughout the tournament they played 110% to the final buzzer. Their drive, determination and relentlessness on the court achieved them a provincial win.”
Bella Coola, like many Indigenous communities, can truly be classified as basketball crazy. It is no exaggeration to say that these girls are hometown heroes who are being celebrated by proud community members at every turn, something they know is very special.
“For me and my community, I feel like basketball gives us a lot of healing,” said Annika Parr. “There’s a lot of intergenerational traumas, and the sport gives a way to get our anger out and helps us cope with it.”
The team is aware of how their win is affecting the next generation, understanding that their example of commitment and hard work is something younger girls are noticing.
“If you see the dedication we put in, you can do the same if you follow the same path,” said Ayanna Parr. “It’s not just for us; it’s for the younger generation. If we can do it, they can do it as well.”
Dreams don’t stop at basketball, however. While they all plan to keep playing, most of the girls are graduating this year and moving onto post-secondary education and two are looking forward to more high school basketball.
Skylene Andy, 17, is hoping to move to Kelowna and study nursing or ECE. Tiara Milton, 15, is looking forward to more high school basketball. Both Annika and Ayanna Parr, 17, are heading to UNBC for full basketball scholarships and are studying sports science, and Shaylen Moody, 17, is aiming to be a helicopter pilot.
Lakiesha Pootlass, 18, is heading to Terrace for art school, and Kaylee Cahoose, 15, is looking forward to more high school basketball, while Kashlyn Mack, 17, is considering pursuing business studies.
The team extended their heartfelt thanks to their families, coaches Jonas Anderson, Cathy Robson, and Nedeea Siwallace, manager Wilma Schooner, parents Duane and Renee Andy and Derrick Mack, Acwsalcta School, the Nuxalk community for their support, with a special shout out to their very own “Coach Carter” (Xzavier Andy).
The community will be celebrating the team with a special feast on March 9.
On court photos: John Mai. Off court photos: Paul Yates.
