by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Devon Pitawanakwat is a four-sport athlete in basketball, baseball, track, and football. He is a tribal member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, located mostly in the northwestern lower peninsula of Michigan in Traverse City, Suttons Bay, and Elk Rapids. His family lives between Rapid City and Kewadin, Michigan, on a little piece of tribal land. His mom’s name is Misty Callaway and dad’s name is Martin Dale Pitawanakwat Jr. Devon has six siblings, Dale (oldest), Dadrian, Manyan, Dazion, David, and De’veon.
“Being a student-athlete I go by a lot of tribal core values, which consists of the Seven Grandfather Teachings: respect, courage, humility, wisdom, honesty, truth, and love,” said Devon. “A few values I go by and define who I am as a student-athlete are humbleness, respect, and pride. I am huge on being humble because you never know who you’re talking to and where someone has come from, so I always carry that chip on my shoulder to do more of ‘walk the walk’ than to ‘talk the talk’. Respect is also a key value into defining who I am because I have learned, whether I’m receiving hate or love, to always respect everyone and everything because you never know what could happen and what comes around goes around.”
“I take a lot of pride in who I am and where I come from, being only one of a few Native American students in my school makes me feel as if I should stand out whether it’s out on the court or on the field but also walking through the hallways of my school and in the classroom,” added Devon.
“I look up to Nahko Bear, and he is a singer and song writer for the band Nahko and Medicine for the People,” said Devon. “He’s inspired me through music to take better care for my body, mind, and spirit.”
“My uncles, Anung Wasageshik, Makhons Stevens and Ivan Wasageshik, have shown me to always cherish the people you see everyday and to never take anything or anyone for granted because you never know when you could lose them,” said Devon. “My parents, school staff, and Mike Pelofske have influenced me to always work hard in school and maintain my grades because the doors of opportunities that could be opened could be countless. My grandpas, although they are not here anymore, I think of them in everything I do because I know they would be proud. Lastly, another person who has influenced me goes by the name of Alex Villegas, he led by example and was a teammate of mine who graduated last year and broke many school records. He influenced me to reach my potential physically by working out everyday and knowing what’s good for my body after a workout.”
“I come from little town Elk Rapids with a bigger dream to achieve all of my goals and reach the highest potential I am destined for,” said Devon. “I started playing sports for as long as I can remember, football being one of the earliest memories I know of. When I was in elementary school I actually wanted to go as far as I could with soccer but I played football in middle school and loved it more than anything and developed a passion with working out and exercising. Basketball, baseball, and track are what I consider my ‘side hustle’ because they keep me at a competitive level and keep me in shape. I am also very involved with school programs and clubs, eco club and indigenous youth club and etc. I try to be as involved as I can with my culture and I want to be culturally enriched with knowledge of my ethnicity.”
“Some of my student-athlete accolades mostly come from football and a little bit of basketball,” said Devon. “Football, the past two years I have received 1st team all-conference for defense at the linebacker position. Basketball I have received a team award for best hustler and best defensive player. Recently I have also received a full ride scholarship from Columbia University for football and that was a huge surprise and huge news for my family and I and our native community.”
“Being a student-athlete can be hard at times, trying to manage time between homework and sports can be hard,” said Devon. “Here is some advice: Take advantage of all the class time you can get to do homework, for that class, for the next day because it’s such a relief from going home from practice and not worrying about cramming your homework in before you go to bed. Surround yourself with good people, I know this one can be hard because there some friends that you grew up with and did everything with and then they turn out to be affecting your effort in school and sports but you just have to distance yourself from them and know what’s right and what’s wrong. Luckily all my friends have been there to support me from the beginning and have never tried to affect my potential in school or sports. Take care of your body. I wasn’t the one to take advice, wish I would’ve, about taking care of my body earlier in my life. Furthermore, I always drank pop and ate candy a day before a game and I wouldn’t play nearly as good or feel as confident as I would in practice.”
“Being a student-athlete with a lot of potential can be lonely at some times, and to fill in that loneliness can seem impossible but it isn’t at all. Do what you absolutely love when you’re feeling lonely, because if you don’t it can affect your mindset towards goals. If your friends are dragging you down, surround yourself with family because they will be there no matter what, your family is and will always be your number one support system,” added Devon.
Photo Credit: Brett A. Sommers
Great article!!
God bless you Devon. Reach for the stars baby. Stay strong centered and healty. Dont forget your ancestors. I think of people that smiled in your face and then frowned when they turned thier backs. Your Aunt Tree is watching you. Love you Son
Devon, my son, I love you more than any words could ever express. I am so very proud of you for everything, your grades, your athletic abilities, your heart, the big brother you are, the awesome young man you have became, your values and character and most of all, the memories of you being my little chabobo, with your mullet haircut and your Batman cape. I’m so blessed you are my son, and I am one proud mom.