by By Dan Ninham, contributing writer
Cade Beaulieu, enrolled member of the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe, is a graduating senior at Red Lake High School in Red Lake, MN. He is a multi-sport athlete and played varsity basketball, football and baseball since eighth grade.
Beaulieu has recently signed his National Letter of Intent to continue going to school and playing basketball at Lake Region State College (LRSC) in Devils Lake, ND.
Lake Region State College head men’s basketball Coach Jared Marshall talked about one of his recruits on signing day. He said, “We are excited to welcome Cade to the LRSC Program. I believe he can help our program in a variety of ways. What stood out to me when we watched him play was how hard he plays during the game and with a lot of intensity.”
“Cade is going to help us offensively be able to stretch the floor with his shooting. Cade is a talented player on both sides of the ball always attacking, always playing hard. He anticipates very well defensively which leads to him getting steals,” added Coach Marshall.
Beaulieu has been starting varsity in both baseball and football since seventh grade, and played varsity basketball since the eighth grade. He was ranked in the top 250 seniors in Minnesota for basketball, and was an All Conference selection his junior and senior years in basketball.
Beaulieu is grounded in the traditional thinking of a young man that is ready to go on to the next level. He is influenced by those that went on before him to attend college and to finish college.
“It is an honor to be able to represent my people at the next level,” said Beaulieu when talking about getting ready to play college basketball next season. “I would say it’s almost like I have a chip on my shoulder, because not a lot of native kids get recruited to play college sports and I’m just grateful to be in the position I am today. I want to be a positive role model in my community and to all native youth, and be an example that hard work and dedication takes you far.”
“Growing up, Rob McClain Jr. and Grace White were my idols,” said Beaulieu. “I always looked up to them and now I’ve created a bond with both of them. I know that at any time I can send them a text or give them a call and they’ll give me advice or answer any questions I have about recruiting or getting ready for college basketball.”
Rob McClain Jr., Muscogee Creek and Red Lake Ojibwe, and Cade’s cousin was Red Lake HS’ first boy to receive an NCAA D1 scholarship to play basketball at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He began his college days being an NJCAA All American at United Tribes College in Bismarck, ND.
“I’ve known Cade for a really long time,” said Rob McClain Jr. “I remember him being at most home games while I was in high school so to see where he is at now is awesome. The best story I can think of is he’s never afraid to ask to work out with me and actually do the workout. I know a lot of kids that just show up to the gym and mess around but he’s always willing to learn. Whenever I go back to the ‘rez’ I always let him know cause I know he’ll ask to work out so that’s fun for me. My entire first summer out of college it was rare I wasn’t around him, just a great kid and role model. I’m super proud of him!”
Grace White was the first girl to receive an NCAA D1 basketball scholarship. She attended the University of Denver and finished her career at Valparaiso University. White was not available for comment.
“Once it was my turn to play varsity basketball for Red Lake, I was fortunate enough to be coached by some great coaches and role models like Roger White and Nolan Desjarlait,” said Beaulieu. “Nolan has always pushed me to be the best possible version of myself since I was a little kid. He’s always been there for me and was always willing to open the gym or let me stay late after practice to get more shots up.”
Roger White and Nolan Desjarlait were not available for comment.
Mom Teanna and dad Arn Pemberton raised Cade to work hard for what he wanted to achieve on and off the court. Mom Teanna Pemberton said, “We have always stressed the importance of learning, he has been a top student since elementary school. We have also shown by example the importance of being on time. We have encouraged him to be the best that he can be and to never give up no matter what. To always be a team player and respectful to coaches. He sets goals for himself and he doesn’t quit until he has achieved them. He is very humble, kind, helpful, respectful and coachable.”
“He started playing AAU basketball a couple years ago, and we took him to try out for a team in Elk River for the Minnesota Swarm,” said Pemberton. “He and his cousin Gerald Kingbird Jr. both made the team. They were the only Native kids on the team. I thought it was so brave of him to get out of his comfort zone and try something new. He made friends with everyone on the team and the coaches really enjoyed having him on the team. The parents of his teammates complimented us on how well he was doing and his respectful attitude. He played against a lot of really good athletes and got a lot of experience.”
“Without the guidance and wisdom from all of these people, I would not be in the position I am today or the person I am,” added Beaulieu.
Photos: E. Jourdain Jr. and Teanna Pemberton
