by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Sekawnee Baker comes from the Squamish, Tla’amin, and Kwakwakaʼwakw Nations in British Columbia, Canada. He is also African-American coming from his mother’s side with her mother being indigenous and her father being Afro-American.
“My Indian name is Gusdzidsas and has the meaning of always moving towards something,” said Sekawnee.
“I am competing for the Creator,” said Sekawnee. “This upcoming lacrosse season I’ll be returning to Akwesasne, Ontario to play for the Akwesasne Indians, as well as the Junior ‘A’ Burlington Chiefs outside of Toronto. I’m 21 years old and I’ve been playing lacrosse since I was three years old.”
“Growing up in Vancouver, BC, lacrosse and soccer were my two sports,” said Sekawnee. “At a point in my life I actually had to leave lacrosse for a year as I signed a contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC residency program at age 14 dedicating myself to the club. It was a big transition as I would say I’m equally talented in soccer as I am in lacrosse.”
“One of the agreements of the contract was that I wasn’t able to continue playing lacrosse while I was playing for the Whitecaps. As you could probably imagine this was very hard for me although I was getting the best training and coaching of my life being a part of the Whitecaps organization,” added Sekawnee.
“Missing lacrosse very much I only stayed with the Whitecaps for a year,” said Sekawnee. “When I returned back to lacrosse I still continued to play soccer in the BC Soccer Premier League playing for Mountain United FC and Coastal FC but things weren’t the same for me. Leaving such a high caliber of coaching and play I became frustrated with my environment. I started to lose some of my love for the game. I would always play with kids that were an age above me because playing with my own age was very frustrating, and even then I still became frustrated playing with the older group of kids.”
“After a full year of playing in the BC Soccer Premier League as well as playing lacrosse at the same time I decided I didn’t want to continue with soccer the next upcoming year. So I put all my focus and energy back into lacrosse. After making this decision I went to play in the BC Summer Games in 2014 winning gold, the next year I went to Ontario to compete in the Canadian Nationals in 2015 representing Team BC finishing with a bronze medal as well as being recognized as the most valuable player coming out of British Columbia. In 2016 I competed in the FIL U19 Men’s World Lacrosse Championships with the Iroquois Nationals finishing with a bronze medal and also being the only native representing from British Columbia on the team,” added Sekawnee.
“Coming from three nations I have had love and support from all nations to compete and practice at a high level,” said Sekawnee. “I have appreciated the friendships and comradeship along the way to the Junior ‘A’ level.”
“My practice in culture has contributed to good nutrition by fishing with my brothers and father in our territories on the West Coast,” said Sekawnee. “Our harvest of big salmon each year is shared with our elders and youth to benefit our traditional feasting and potlatch each year. I have been privileged to practice my Great Grandmothers dances in the Big House potlatch last year and more to come. I dance the Whale mask that developed not only my greater knowledge of our culture but also gave me endurance in my cardio practice for the game of lacrosse.”
“My older brother Sahawna has been my mentor and model for achieving lacrosse professionally,” said Sekawnee. My dad has mentored my volunteer aspirations in our community in the Squamish Nation that has supported me in my minor league development. My grandfather Frank Baker has long been a support and manager for the North Shore Indians Lacrosse team who has shown me the integrity to show up and play with heart and respect.”
“I am a player of many nations and have been an elite athlete for most of my youth,” said Sekawnee. “My mother was raised in Seattle, Washington by my Afro grandfather who played semi-pro for the Seattle Sonics. This is where I get my work ethic for sports and appreciation for achievement.”
“Continuing to practice my culture through spiritual baths in the ocean and rivers, it strengthens my spirit and mental focus in being a professional athlete,” said Sekawnee. “Coming from a rich history learning protocol inside the big house and being mentored by hereditary chiefs, I’ve learned how to carry myself and how to treat others on and off the floor of lacrosse. My dad has always told me lacrosse will teach and help you through the adversities of life. I will continue to play as long as the Creator allows me to. I am a calm and respectful player that wants to inspire creativity in sport and life. Bringing people together to witness unity and love for the game of lacrosse and only inspire future generations to play the Creators game.”
“Professional soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo influenced me on my journey being only 18 years old when he signed a contract in 2003 to the infamous soccer team Manchester United,” said Sekawnee. “This is where I first became a fan and now following his success all the way to this day where he’s considered the best soccer player of this generation. The Thompson brothers being so talented and influential in the game of lacrosse bringing so much knowledge and truth about the game influence me. They are giving back to the younger generations through speaking and hosting development camps throughout the country.”
“In the future, I plan on continuing to travel the nations and to enter the National Lacrosse League,” said Sekawnee. “One day I will open my own lacrosse development program starting in my own nation. Creating a program where I can provide professional training and discipline to develop the younger generations to become not only the best versions of themselves but also the best athletes. I would also like to build a lacrosse arena for my reservation in the Squamish Nation to bring back the love and spirit for the game of lacrosse within the community. Having our own Junior and Senior ‘A’ programs where all the young kids can look forward to playing in one day has always been a dream of mine that I would like to fulfill.”
“Although I’m very passionate about my sports and always will be, I’m also very passionate about music,” said Sekawnee. “Music has always affected me on a more spiritual level growing up. Ever since I could remember I’ve been obsessed with how music is written and composed. In grade 7, I started to learn how to play the trumpet. This is where I learned how to read music and to play in a live band in my elementary school. During this time I loved to listen to a lot of hip hop, r and b, reggae, blues, rock n roll, and electronic dance music. I definitely give credit to my mom and dad for introducing me to such a wide variety of music and artists at such a young age as well as myself being so determined in finding my own taste.”
“When I would listen to music in the car or on my headphones, I would start to examine every detail and sound within the song. I would start to formulate in my head how the song was put together and paid close attention to how it made people feel. I fell in love with the art of music and told myself I would figure out how to produce my own music one day,” added Sekawnee.
“The last four years I’ve been dedicated to teaching myself music production and audio engineering where it has tremendously paid off and I now produce for others in my city as well as writing my own songs. I’m nowhere near satisfied where I want to be musically and I don’t think I ever will. I believe I get this drive for wanting to be the best I can be and always believing there’s room for improvement because of being an elite athlete and coming from a strong line of artists in my family,” added Sekawnee.
“My athletic and musical journeys have been great teachers in my life,” said Sekawnee. “I haven’t gone to college or university yet because I put my schooling on hold to educate myself so deeply in teaching myself audio engineering and music production on my own. Now that I’m confident in what I have taught myself, I would like to study music business and management at Berkley School of Music or possibly continue on as a student athlete to play lacrosse and study business.
“You can listen to my music on Apple Music, Spotify, Soundcloud, or any major streaming platform under the name SEKAWNEE. You can also find me on Instagram to stay up to date on who I’m working with and when I’ll be releasing my next song,” added Sekawnee.
“My advice to aspiring student-athletes is to get to know yourself,” said Sekawnee. “Respect and love yourself, and be passionate about your goals. Don’t allow other people’s opinions determine your future. Believe in your teaching from your elders and share your gained knowledge with the young in your community. Train and practice as much as you can with the resources you have, and if you don’t have the right resources make it a goal to get what you need.”
“Sometimes the only people holding us back from the things we want to accomplish are ourselves,” said Sekawnee. “Be passionate about what you are studying and wanting to pursue. When you surround yourself with the right people anything is possible.”
Photo Credits: Kwakwee Baker, Sekoya Baker and Nanticokephotography
Excellent testimony that you can follow ur dreams nephew. Ur w teachings is very important. Shows u listened to ur parents brothers grand parents on both sides of family and teachers coaches. Never give up. “Road to success is thro communication” coming from cousin Rueben who was born with cerebral palsy. Who has speech impairment . Was told he be mute for life. He graduated in 1994 when ppl said he never graduate.
Yes so follow your dreams share ur testimony . Good luck.”Klusoms kwigan.” Means “strong mind” love yourself will get you there. Get anyone there.