All My Relations Basketball Team Film Asks 'Do You Have What It Takes?'

This game day ball showcases the deep roots of this team. 

All My Relations Indigenous Women’s basketball team has launched a new fundraising campaign featuring a limited edition basketball in partnership with advertising agency The Local Collective (TLC), representing a rich and often overlooked history of basketball in Indigenous communities across Canada. 

Basketball has been an integral part of many Indigenous communities for generations as a place to gather and connect with each other. The spirit of the sport and what it represents certainly lives on through the All My Relations team, which for the past nineteen years, has been a safe and healthy vehicle for the women of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and off reserve players. The AMR community consists of 30 Indigenous women from various nations and backgrounds. Inspired by their stories and the love of the game, the AMR Game Ball was born. 

As Joleen Mitton, founder of All My Relations Basketball, puts it: “All My Relations has been the backbone of the downtown east side community and women who are coming off reserve. Through basketball, we have learned to practice how we want to play, and in our lives we are the change we want to see in our communities. This ball and its design represents that, it’s our journey and our story. We love this game, and this is our Game Ball!”

The AMR Game Ball is not only a symbol of the team, but also a celebration and appreciation of Indigenous culture in Canada. The importance of representation in sports cannot be understated, and the development of those spaces requires not only passion and dedication but also access to funding. The impact of Covid on tournament fundraising has taken a toll, but the drive, determination, and dedication to community is what has kept the team pushing forward to find new ways to rally support. 

Proceeds from the sale of AMR Game Balls go directly to supporting the team as they head to the coveted All Native Tournament this April, in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, located on the traditional territory of the Ts’msyen. Additionally, funding will go to supporting the AMR Physical Literacy Program, developing programming and clinics, and continuing their advocacy work for representation in sport.

“Community is so vital right now. We love what All My Relations stands for and how they build and lift up their communities. We believe the more spaces that are created, nurtured and funded for sport, especially for underrepresented communities, the more we all have to gain from it. Being approached to create a custom ball to represent this incredible story was really special to us. We’re excited for the world to have their own little piece of what All My Relations is all about.” says  Kaitlin Doherty, founder & managing director, The Local Collective.