A pilot program referred to as First Light, named after the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe — the “people of the first light” — is giving Native American highschool gamers a shot at school and a glimpse of a world full of alternatives.
This program was spearheaded by Jamie Morrison, the part-Cherokee and part-Irish assistant boys basketball coach at UMass Boston and program supervisor on the Institute of New England Native American Studies, and Aaron Hogner, the pinnacle boys basketball coach at Cherokee High School in Cherokee, N.C.
Last week, 20 Native American highschool boys, most of whom dwell on reservations all through the nation, got here as much as UMass Boston to expertise a distinct atmosphere and have an opportunity to fulfill with college and practice in entrance of basketball coaches at completely different schools.
“Basketball is the most popular sport in Indian country,” stated Judith LeBlanc, government director of the Native Organizers Alliance. “Many of these students have never traveled before. This is their first trip away from home. All they know is their high school coach.”
Some of them discovered about this system on-line and others discovered by way of relationships with former gamers.
“They’re all hoping to go to college on a full scholarship,” Morrison stated.
Morrison added that whether or not or not they’re adequate athletically or academically to be awarded a scholarship, “we want them to have as many college choices as they can and to be prepared.”
“You just have to work,” stated Marc Pena, 17, of Yarmouth and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
In addition to UMass Boston, they visited Amherst College, Salem State University and Keene State College in New Hampshire.
If this system is profitable, there are plans to ask as many as 250 Native American highschool college students — girls and boys — to subsequent 12 months, LeBlanc stated.
“In a lot of places where these kids live, the whole town comes out for games,” Morrison stated. “It’s the one sport that transcends where we live.”
BOSTON, MA – July 22: The staff teaches out because the Turtle Island staff exercises on the Clark Athletic Center at UMass Boston on July 22, 2022 in , BOSTON, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA – July 22: Jack Gloyne (R) provides directions because the Turtle Island staff exercises on the Clark Athletic Center at UMass Boston on July 22, 2022 in , BOSTON, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA – July 22: the Turtle Island staff exercises on the Clark Athletic Center at UMass Boston on July 22, 2022 in , BOSTON, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA – July 22: Mipawset Morrison (L) and Savian run drills because the Turtle Island staff exercises on the Clark Athletic Center at UMass Boston on July 22, 2022 in , BOSTON, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA – July 22: Malakhi Baccus throws a move throughout drills because the Turtle Island staff exercises on the Clark Athletic Center at UMass Boston on July 22, 2022 in , BOSTON, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA – July 22: DÕKane Grant dribbles throughout drills because the Turtle Island staff exercises on the Clark Athletic Center at UMass Boston on July 22, 2022 in , BOSTON, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA – July 22: Julius Myore (L) drives into coach Jason Littlejohn (R) throughout drills because the Turtle Island staff exercises on the Clark Athletic Center at UMass Boston on July 22, 2022 in , BOSTON, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA – July 22: Jack Gloyne (R) provides directions because the Turtle Island staff exercises on the Clark Athletic Center at UMass Boston on July 22, 2022 in , BOSTON, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA – July 22: Julius Myore (R) places up a shot as Johnny Maez (L) collects a rebound because the Turtle Island staff exercises on the Clark Athletic Center at UMass Boston on July 22, 2022 in , BOSTON, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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