Local Journalism Initiative
By Rebecca Bollwitt, Local Journalism Initiative, Megaphone Magazine. Photo courtesy of AMR Basketball and Tina Gulbrandsen.
From a young age, Kailani Austin dreamed of making the All My Relations (AMR) basketball team on her home court in East Vancouver. Today, as a starter for the Indigenous women’s squad, that dream has grown into something deeper, shaping her skills and athleticism while connecting her to community, culture, and spirituality.
“From the ages of 10 to 17, I was surrounded by AMR players and I was like, ‘OK, I really want to be an AMR player when I grow older’!”
Kailani Austin
“I started playing in the Junior All Native Basketball Tournament when I was 10 and over the years I’ve had a couple of players from All My Relations coach my junior team,” says Austin, who is currently on a gap year after graduating high school. “From the ages of 10 to 17, I was surrounded by AMR players and I was like, ‘OK, I really want to be an AMR player when I grow older’!”
All My Relations (AMR) Basketball was established in 2003 and is currently managed by player Joleen Mitton, who is also the founder of Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW). The organization’s primary focus is basketball, however the team creates safe spaces for Indigenous people in the community. They promote a vibrant and healthy lifestyle, while also preserving rich cultural heritage, strengthening bonds through ongoing advocacy.
The AMR Basketball community consists of 30-40 Indigenous women from various First Nations and backgrounds ranging in age from 17 to 40 years. From single mothers and aunties, to post-secondary students, all team members are advocates for sports and healthy living, as well as giving back to the community.
Austin played in the Strathcona Basketball League and met Mitton through VIFW, later connecting again when Mitton coached her U17 team, the Vancity Reign.
She received a coveted invitation to practise with AMR two seasons ago.
“I said to myself, ‘This is it. I’m going to try my hardest, my absolute hardest every single time. I want them to know I’m a good player, I’m ready for them to pick me’.”
“I’m playing with all these amazing women. They’re such good role models, especially for the younger generation of Indigenous women living in the city.”
Kailani Austin
The guard/forward is now living out her dream, going from a bench player to a starter, and even receiving her first player award at a tournament last year.
“I’m playing with all these amazing women. They’re such good role models, especially for the younger generation of Indigenous women living in the city.”
Austin says that being a part of the team gives her, and other young Indigenous women and girls like her, a sense of community, since not all live on reserves or close to their families.
“I finally just moved back to the reserve, on Squamish Nation Territory, but I feel that everybody up north and all over B.C. has the privilege to play for their communities. I love AMR so much because this is my community.”
Tina Gulbrandsen is coming back to her second season playing with AMR, after a close friend and teammate, Marnie Scow, encouraged her to join.
Gulbrandsen has been involved with Softball Canada, playing competitive slow-pitch softball in both Canada and the U.S. She’s a representative for the Louisville Slugger brand and had the honour of being part of Team Canada at seven Border Battle tournaments. In addition to competing, she helps coach a U10 girls softball team.
“Being connected to my culture is really important to me, and AMR has played a meaningful role in strengthening that connection.”
Tina Gulbrandsen
“Prior to coming back to basketball, I hadn’t played since high school, so returning to the game has been both exciting and a big adjustment,” Gulbrandsen says. “But I’m a competitor at heart and I hold myself to high expectations. I want to show up for my team and give my best every time I step on the court.”
Gulbrandsen grew up in Vancouver and Port Moody. Her band is Lax Kw’alaams on her dad’s side, and Cree on her mom’s side.
“Being connected to my culture is really important to me, and AMR has played a meaningful role in strengthening that connection,” she says.
The next stop for Austin, Guldbrandsen and their teammates is the renown All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert Feb. 14-21. Founded in 1960, it hosts dozens of men’s and women’s teams from across British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest each year.
“It gives me a sense of pride to go up to Prince Rupert and represent because this is my home. This is my home team. I view all of my teammates as aunties, and I have so much respect for the organization with all they do for youth,” Austin says.
Gulbrandsen is equally excited.
“The level of talent at this tournament, and within AMR itself, is incredible. The women I get to play alongside and against are so skilled, competitive and experienced — and it definitely pushes me to elevate my own game. On the court, you’ll see me working my hardest on defence and doing whatever my team needs to win. As the tournament gets closer and my team is out playing, practising, and bonding, I’m getting more and more excited to be there and to experience that atmosphere again.”
The All Native tournament is the subject of an award-winning 2025 documentary Saints and Warriors from Director Patrick Shannon, which described it as “what started as competition has become a powerful act of resurgence, emerging from generations who fought to reclaim their traditions after the Potlatch ban and the era of residential schools.”
“I have to prepare myself to be in that setting and to have that heart, that drive and that spirit to keep on going because these games are pretty tough to play. I’m not going to lie, this is some of the hardest basketball I’ve ever played.”
Kailani Austin
Being a part of this modern-day ceremony — where basketball becomes a celebration of culture, identity and survival — has taught Austin to stay calm in trying times. This can include humming ancestral songs to get grounded (for example when the team is down a basket with one minute left and the other team has the ball), to feeling connected to her community even when she’s on the road.
“I have to prepare myself to be in that setting and to have that heart, that drive and that spirit to keep on going because these games are pretty tough to play. I’m not going to lie, this is some of the hardest basketball I’ve ever played.”
To get through competitive tournaments, Austin keeps on top of her physical, mental and spiritual health, and the biggest boost has always come from seeing AMR players and alumni attend her league games when she was younger. It gave her a boost to not only get feedback on skills and development, but also knowing she had a community behind her.
“A lot of girls struggle with confidence in sports, I know I definitely did. It’s about being confident in knowing: ‘My team is good. I trust my teammates, I’m surrounded by good people, I trust myself’.”
Through various community events like AMR’s Auntie/Niece night, league fundraisers, or seeing AMR players attend younger league games, bonds are formed and confidence is built. It helped her so much over the years that Austin wants to start paying that forward. She has already started mentoring younger players and has a goal of one day becoming a teacher and working with her nation.
“I am grateful for the mentors I’ve had through AMR. I would play with them and I would see how calm and in the moment they are, and I would see how they had good leadership and they’d be great at communicating. It shaped me into the person I am because I have definitely gone through some hardships as a young Indigenous woman living in the city and feeling disconnected. I think it’s really taught me to persevere and be resilient.”
“I would see women talking about having a circle when we get to All Native, to let go of what we were holding on to, call on each other to be in the present, and rely on each other. It formed a really strong bond of womanhood and sisterhood.”
Kailani Austin
Austin says that basketball, and being a part of a team has taught her to be more comfortable with her spirituality, and how to get in touch with herself.
“I would see women talking about having a circle when we get to All Native, to let go of what we were holding on to, call on each other to be in the present, and rely on each other. It formed a really strong bond of womanhood and sisterhood.”
Gulbrandsen agrees, saying being part of AMR has been a blessing.
“Especially during this time in my life when I feel more connected to my culture and more passionate about helping grow sport for the upcoming youth. AMR provides a space where Indigenous athletes feel supported, encouraged and proud of who they are,” she says. “I’ve seen the positive impact it has not only on me, but on my teammates as well, building confidence, creating lifelong connections and fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.”
“Being part of AMR basketball has shown me the importance of leaning on my team and the women around me.”
Kailani Austin
The Vancity Reign, where Austin got her start, will host this year’s Junior All Native Tournament from March 15-20 in Langley. It’s set to be the largest annual Indigenous sports gathering in B.C. and one of the biggest basketball tournaments in Canada, drawing more than 1,200 youth athletes, upwards of 10,000 travellers and over 100 teams from across the province. More than 100 Indigenous communities will be attending and represented at the annual tournament.
Austin recommends following the AMR Basketball Instagram account for upcoming fundraisers, information about their support for junior teams, and updates on the team.
“Being part of AMR basketball has shown me the importance of leaning on my team and the women around me,” says Austin. “It’s inspired me to be that same support for my teammates, and for future generations.”
Learn more at AMRball.ca
Rebecca Bollwitt is a regular contributor to Megaphone.
