Hoop dreams come alive at Prince Rupert’s All-Native Basketball Tournament
PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. — Frank Parnell says the spirit of the long-running All-Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert on British Columbia’s north coast never left his body even though the last time he was on the court was almost 50 years ago.
Parnell, 67, said he was 19 years old when he last played in the tournament. But it’s amazing he was even able to play in one of the top indigenous sporting and cultural events in Canada.
“I was born with one hand, so I was kind of unique to the tournament,” he said.
Up to 4,000 people are expected to attend the tournament, which starts Sunday and concludes Feb. 18. There are 51 men’s and women’s teams and about 600 athletes.