The thumping of balls, the squeaking of sneakers on shiny hardwood floors, these are the sounds of basketball and the sounds of girls who love it.

The Indigenous girls basketball team made of players from the W̱SÁNEĆ territory is called Qelaxen. It means butterfly – and the girls on the team are truly transforming, becoming not only more beautiful, inside and out, but strong and confident.

The woman behind this team is Kim Graves and she is this week’s Inspiring Island Woman.

“I think the reality is that there still does exist racism in sport, that in and of itself is a significant barrier,” she said. “I think another big issue is creating access and opportunity for girls to come and feel confident and comfortable.”

Graves is of Metis and European heritage and has basketball in her blo

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