It was a long trip for the Nuxalk Baby Thunders U10 team, who spent more than 10 hours driving from Bella Coola to the Langley Events Centre for the opening ceremonies of the 2026 Junior All Native Tournament (JANT).
“We’re tired,” said manager Wilma Schooner.
But they were all smiling as they waited outside the LEC, with hundreds of other young competitors from across B.C., for their turn to make an entrance.
“You’ve got another hour,” Schooner cautioned the young players.
Inside traditional dancers and drummers welcomed 130 teams and more than 1,800 athletes across seven age divisions to the 50th edition of the basketball tournament.
Thousands attended the opening of the 2026 Junior All Native Tournament at Langley Events Centre. pic.twitter.com/fFmLhQUlMq
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) March 16, 2026
It was hosted and emceed by Kiefer Collison, Haida Gwaii-born actor, TV personality and former Big Brother Canada contestant.
“Today, this week, and always, let’s stand behind our youth” Collison said. “Let’s celebrate them, encourage them, and show them strength in the communities that support them, because when our youth rise, our communities rise with them.”
At the vendor market at LEC the same day, there were more 50 occupied tables, something one of the JANT organizers, Kwantlen First Nation member Tumia Knott, called “amazing.”
Musqueam designer Gerren Peters brought some of his copper jewelry.
“I’m from Musqueam, but I grew up in Kwantlen,” Peters explained.
He would have liked the market to run more than a single day.
Co-hosted by the Vancouver Bandits pro basketball team, Kwantlen First Nation and Vancity Nation youth basketball, action was to begin Monday, March 16.
Games were scheduled at various venues in the Langley area, including the LEC, HD Stafford Middle School, Langley Secondary School, RE Mountain Secondary School, and Walnut Grove Secondary School.
It all concludes with Championship Friday on March 20, with winners crowned in Boys and Girls U17, U13 Gold, U13 Silver divisions on Centre Court at Langley Events Centre.