SASKATOON, Saskatchewan (November 23, 2024) – Canada Basketball announced today that the Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League (LSIBL) has been selected as the organization’s next UNIFIED Partner.

The announcement was made ahead of Paige Crozon’s “Meet an Olympian Camp,” featuring participants from the Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League and a surprise appearance by members of Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team.

Originally from Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Crozon, who represented Canada in 3x3 basketball at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and has spent the last several seasons playing on the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series, is the Manager of the Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League.

“As the Manager of the Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League, I am thrilled that LSIBL has been selected as a UNIFIED Partner with Canada Basketball,” said Paige Crozon. “Growing up in Saskatchewan, I was given so much by the basketball community here, and it’s incredibly important for me to pay that forward. This partnership allows us to empower young athletes by blending cultural teachings with sport, expanding access and breaking down barriers. Together, we’re paving a pathway for Indigenous youth to embrace the sport in ways that celebrate their identity and potential.

Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League was developed by the Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan, One Love Basketball Inc., and with support from the Government of Canada and other community stakeholders, and provides Saskatchewan youth from the ages of 11 to 17 with an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills on the basketball court while offering workshops that address social and cultural topics.

“The UNIFIED Partnership between Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League and Canada Basketball is an amazing example of Reconciliation through Sport. It highlights Canada Basketball’s commitment to addressing Truth and Reconciliation Calls to action in their own way by supporting Indigenous athletes in their passion and love of the game” said Mike Tanton, Co-Founder of the Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League.

The UNIFIED Partnership will look to support the creation of a 12-week LSIBL Senior Division league for athletes aged 14-18. The league will see over 800 youth and volunteers from 17 communities across the province come together to compete in several tournaments.  On-court activities will be rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing, with sixteen pre-developed practice plans to be distributed to coaches and facilitators, including Indigenous teachings and traditional games.  In addition, participants will also experience off-court activities such as workshops, culture education and well-being sessions.

The shared goal of the partnership is to not only grow the representation of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit participation in grassroots basketball programs on a national level but also to increase their exposure and access to high-quality basketball experiences through both 3x3 and 5-on-5 competitions.

In 2022, Canada Basketball launched the UNIFIED Partnership Program, which provides support to community organizations that not only have a long-term and ongoing affiliation with the organization but also shared values, objectives and priorities to help further grow the game and remove access barriers for equity-deserving youth through collaborative basketball programming in Canada.

“The UNIFIED Partner Program has been essential for us to continue our efforts to grow the game of basketball at a grassroots level across the country,” said Michael Bartlett, President & CEO of Canada Basketball. “We’re thrilled to add the Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League as a UNIFIED Partner and to provide them with the support they need to continue the tremendous work they are doing in the Indigenous community and across Saskatchewan.”

Canada Basketball and Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League will celebrate the announcement of their UNIFIED Partnership when in Saskatoon for the FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers on November 21 and 24 with a visit from Senior Men’s National Team athletes at the “Meet an Olympian” camp, as well as an in-arena recognition moment at the game. 

For additional information on Canada Basketball and the UNIFIED Partnerships program, visit basketball.ca.