VICTORIA - Kim Graves has spent much of her life on the basketball court — as a player, coach, teacher and mentor, with most of that time dedicated to coaching elite athletes. But in recent years, her focus has shifted from performance to purpose.

"I've always known I wanted to give back. To use what I've learned in sport to build something meaningful," says Graves, vice principal at Bayside Middle School and former University of Victoria women's basketball player.  

A proud Métis woman and Vikes alumna, Graves knew that systemic barriers such as racism, historical issues, cultural safety and financial constraints often keep Indigenous girls from accessing sports. So, she set out to create something different.

Through a partnership with the Saanich School District, she helped spearhead a program to support W̱SÁNEĆ girls through basketball.

What began with a single team, the W̱SÁNEĆ QELAXEṈ, made up of U13 athletes from Bayside, North Saanich, Brentwood, and W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Secondary — has grown into a movement rooted in culture, community, and confidence.

The team chose its name: QELAXEṈ, which means butterfly, a symbol that seems fitting for the transformation that is unfolding. Their logo was created by local W̱SÁNEĆ artist Chaz Elliott.

The W̱SÁNEĆ QELAXEṈ players train and play together under the guidance of Graves and through a growing partnership with the UVic women's basketball team. Since its inception, the players have gained skills, confidence, and a true sense of connection.

"The [Vikes] women's athletes have really locked in. They've dedicated a lot of time and made a huge effort to connect with the girls, and now these young athletes truly believe they can attend UVic and one day become Vikes," says Graves.

Graves' daughter, Bella, who works on-call as an Indigenous support worker in the Saanich School District, is heading into her second season with the Vikes and has been instrumental in strengthening the bond between the UVic women's basketball program and the W̱SÁNEĆ youth.

Bella helps with the team throughout the school year but says she sees herself more as a role model and mentor and is focussed on building connections rather than coaching them.

"As an athlete I'm very focussed and goal oriented, but when I'm working with these girls, we're really focussed on enjoying the journey and celebrating the little wins that they can be proud of each day," says Bella.

Bella has involved many of her Vikes teammates as well. Recently, Yar Ayuen Mach, Bella and men's basketball assistant coach Niasi Malua took a trip to Ahousaht and Tofino, where they coached camps and played games against local community teams. Vikes captain Abigail Becker and alumna Tegan MacKinnon also helped run a mini QELAXEṈ camp for 30 young W̱SÁNEĆ youth. Earlier in the season, the W̱SÁNEĆ QELAXEṈ team attended a camp hosted by the UVic women's team at CARSA and later played during halftime of the Vikes home game.
 

"I think getting my teammates involved with the [W̱SÁNEĆ QELAXEṈ] team has helped build a greater connection to the community and to the people whose land we live on. It's a way of giving back, not just through basketball but through relationship building," continues Bella.  

This summer, Graves hopes to host an Indigenous girl's basketball camp at UVic that blends culture and basketball while supporting Indigenous coaches and athletes in developing their skills. The camp will be run through the non-profit organization Coastal Wave Basketball in partnership with Jump Through Hoops, both of which are deeply committed to empowering underrepresented Indigenous youth through basketball, mentorship, and career development.

Introducing: Coastal Wave Basketball

With the success of the W̱SÁNEĆ girls' program, Graves has launched a not-for-profit organization called Coastal Wave Basketball, with a mission to create more Indigenous girls' teams across Vancouver Island.

The vision is bold, rooted in community, and captured in a simple slogan: where culture meets the court.

"Coastal Wave Basketball empowers Indigenous girls through culturally safe and inclusive basketball programs. By blending sport with cultural pride and strong community connections, we foster confidence, well-being, and a sense of belonging—ensuring that community supports community, both on and off the court."

With the help of local educators, leaders, and elders, the organization is committed to integrating cultural practices, training Indigenous coaches, supporting elite Indigenous athletes, and launching all-Indigenous leagues and tournaments. Next fall, the program will expand to include U11 and U17 girls' teams.

While the program is in its infancy, Graves says the ripple effect stretches beyond sport by becoming a beacon of hope and pride, enhancing school engagement, boosting self-esteem, promoting physical and emotional wellbeing. It also wouldn't be possible with the support of the W̱SÁNEĆ community and people like Mariah Curley from the TSAWOUT First Nation, who has played in instrumental role in getting the girls to and from practice.

"The impacts are further reaching than I ever imagined and we're really just getting started."

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to recognize, learn about, and celebrate the rich history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

As we recognize National Indigenous History Month and look ahead to National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, we invite you to reflect, learn and engage with the diverse histories, cultures and contributions of Indigenous Peoples.