by By Dan Ninham
Older siblings often lead the charge as role models in and out of the home and on and off the court and field. This is the case in the St.Germaine household on the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in northern Wisconsin.
“My Indian name is Be Baam Bines and the meaning is ‘Lone Thunderbird or Thunderbird’ that travels about and I live in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin,” said Nolan St.Germaine. “I am 17 years old and I attend Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua, WI. My parents names are Janice St. Germaine and Louie St. Germaine.”
“My tribe is the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and my clan is the turtle,” said Nolan.
“I’m a multi-sport athlete,” said Nolan. “I’ve played on multiple AAU basketball teams. I was also the starting varsity point guard for the T-birds at Lakeland Union HS as a sophomore.”
“I made the Northern Indigenous All State Team for basketball,” said Nolan. “I ran cross country my freshman year and was one of the varsity runner’s. Our team participated in the Nike XC Roy Griak race at the University of Minnesota. I also ran track and had the fastest time on my team in the 1600m. I ran 4 minutes 59 seconds as a freshman.”
“My tribal core values define me as a student-athlete,” said Nolan. “I want to represent the tribe in the best way possible by doing good in the classroom and sports. I also want to set a good example and be a good role model for young tribal members. Education and sports can take their lives down paths that many other things can’t.”
“As an athlete I would like to get a scholarship to play basketball in college and be a inspiration to not only the younger tribal members but the older tribal members as well,” said Nolan.
“I have been positively influenced by my older siblings, Shania and Tarrin St.Germaine,” said Nolan. “Both siblings were standout student athletes in high school and college. Shania played at Gogebic Community College and Tarrin played at Marathon County College. Both had their fair share of Academic and Athletic achievements and awards.”
‘I’ve watched Nolan grow over the years as a person and an athlete,” said older sister Shania. “Since he’s been little he’s always been a leader and an outstanding athlete, as he got to high school his dedication and hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. He’s up early in the morning to get to tournaments or open gyms, even on off days he’s outside using our home court to put game shots up or playing 1v1 with his older brother or going for a quick few mile run.”
“Aside from his work on the court, he goes to the weight room five days out of the week for strength and cardio training and pushes his peers to go there with him,” added Shania.
“As a college athlete I’ve learned that student-athlete comes first and be willing to hold yourself accountable,” said Shania. “As hard as you push your body physically, you need to dedicate that same energy and time to your studies. You can never settle and consider yourself good enough. There’s always someone working just as hard and just as hungry to get better.”
“Nolan’s always been a quiet leader since a young age,” said older brother Tarrin. “I say quiet leader because he’s a leader by example. He’s been dedicated as a student-athlete since a young age and he’s been consistent with his work and craft towards all the sports he participates in. Going along with his own work ethic, he has always been the one of his peers to encourage off season workouts and individual skill improving. Ever since he reached high school he’s been in the weight room five to six days out of the week improving his physical strength and cardio.”
“To go along with working towards his individual skills, he’s always come to watch and even play in some the men’s tournaments and leagues that I’ve participated in over the years. Getting a feel for different competition and competitiveness at a younger age has definitely shown to improve his skills and leadership,” added Tarrin.
“He’s shown to grow and continue to get better as an athlete with his work ethic and hard work,” said Tarrin. “That’s what it takes to be a student-athlete at the college level. From my experience as a college level student athlete, there is always someone working just as hard as you, whether it’s someone in the classroom studying for hours, or someone in the gym working to get better. Either way, there’s always someone biting at your heels to get to your level or someone right ahead of you, working to stay ahead.”
“Nolan has the work ethic and dedication to be a student athlete at the college level,” said Tarrin. “He’s proven it at young age so far.”
“You can achieve anything you put your mind to,” said Nolan. “If you put in hard work and the time you will get results you want and accomplish things you never thought you could. My Indian name is ironically the same thing as my high school mascot the Thunderbird and that is why I went to attend Lakeland Union HS.”
Photo Credit: Brett LaBore/The Lakeland Times
