by By Dan Ninham
Olivia Curley is Ho-Chunk from her mother Kelly Funmaker and Navajo from her late father Jim Curley. “I am Bear clan from my mother and am born for the Folded Arms People clan from my father. My Indian name is doe-chuing-gang-ga meaning ‘Leader of warriors’. I am 18 years old. I live in Wittenberg, Wisconsin. I went to school at Wittenberg-Birnamwood HS, Wittenberg, WI.
Olivia was named second team All-Conference last season 2019-20 and received the four-year senior award. She was the team captain senior year. She also led the team in steals as a senior and assists as a junior. She was named Most Improved as a JV player her sophomore season and Most Improved as a varsity player her junior season. She was also named the Rookie of the Year in swimming her sophomore year.
“I played for the Wisconsin Blizzard for AAU summer basketball during sixth, seventh and eighth grades,” said Olivia. During my junior summer I played for Wisconsin Blaze. I was also a part of Team WI in the North American Indigenous Games in Toronto and we won a bronze medal in the 16U division.”
“When I was younger and played basketball or any type of sport I was in, I always had my family there to support me in what I was doing,” said Olivia. “My core values started with my family, rather than instilled by my tribe. My family taught me to finish things that I started including school, a different sport, or even day-to-day activities. They taught me no matter how bad you want something you will always have to work your hardest. They have taught me that no matter what happens, family will always have your back in good and in bad times.”
“My family taught me to grow from my mistakes and take in the good and leave the bad. No matter what you’re thinking where you are at, the people who are missing from your life will always be there for you in spirit or watching over you. My family had a very huge impact on my life and they have taught me so much from my little time I have been on this earth. They have given me so much encouragement for lessons, to laughs and even cries. I know my family has pushed me to do well in my life and has led me to my next phase in my life: college,” added Olivia.
“I plan on keeping them proud and let them right this roller coaster of life with me,” said Olivia. “My tribe and culture have also allowed me to feel safe knowing I’m not like other people. It has made me feel comfortable to stand out and be my own individual. I feel proud and confident saying ‘Hi, my name is Olivia Curley and I am Native American.’ Makes me feel unique and proud. Especially when people ask my questions about me and are interested in our culture.”
“My sister BreeAnna Walker has been a huge influence on my life,” said Olivia. “Not only in life but also on the basketball court. I remember countless times after games I would be so angry and so mad at everyone in the world. She would be driving me home and telling me that if I would just listen and not get frustrated with everyone and myself I could be better. I was not the girl that would listen most of the time, but I knew I was totally in the wrong when my sister would have to get after me for my attitude. She would always be my go to if I had any questions about basketball and she would tell me the wrongs and rights, and answer my questions about life. My sister has been a rock so to say when it came to my life. She would always say the right things to make me feel better or even make me listen.”
“My family have all influenced me throughout my high school student-athlete journey,” said Olivia. “I have my Nani’s (mom) helping me understand that everything is going to be okay, when things aren’t looking good. I can always count on them to help ensure myself about decisions I have to make. My tega’s (uncle’s) are always being the ones to make me feel safe and sound and not ever having to worry about being alone. I have my sisters to make sure I will always have a friend to go to, and opening up their lives and kids life to me making sure I never have to feel unwanted.”
“I have my brothers who are always watching out for me and making sure I stay out of trouble. Also making sure I get annoyed by them teasing me. Then I have my choka (grandfather) who is always there to talk to when life gets too overwhelming, and gives me a good laugh,” added Olivia.
“My mom is there for me at home and puts a roof over my head,” said Olivia. “She allows me not to worry because I will always have a place to stay. Everyone in my family has been an influencer in my life. But I have also had bad ones also, even in my family. They are brought into our lives to teach us lessons and I feel like those are to be shared also not just positive people. But that is for a different time.”
“As a parent, I’ve watched her play ball since the third grade and all those years her game grew right along with her,” said Kelly. “Her mental game wasn’t always where it is now and I do believe she has a lot more to learn, and that is what I’m hoping for her in college hoops. Better coaches, better teammates, better facilities and more insight.”
“She has the drive, she has the tools, and she has the opportunity to go where she wants. My first hope is she gets an education before all and to keep with it. She can go overseas to play next year with her team and that will be a great experience for her,” added Kelly.
“My high school basketball coaches have been part of my journey,” said Olivia. “We didn’t always see eye-to-eye but I knew my place and I understood what I had to do each game and practice.”
“I started with Coach Nick Mechekle on JV my freshman year,” said Olivia. “Then he got moved to head coach. I was part JV and varsity. During my time I got to play under him I can stay for me it was very challenging to conform to his coaching methods. He wanted to change my shooting from the step I took into my shot and I just didn’t like it. As I got to be a junior and senior I looked back and I see how much I have changed and grew from a little un-coachable freshman to a team leader of varsity as a senior.”
“Olivia has great passion for the game of basketball,” said Nick Mechekle, head girls’ basketball coach at Wittenberg-Birnamwood HS. “Olivia has been a part of the Charger basketball program since kindergarten when she joined in the Charger basketball Camps. Liv’s talents grew throughout her high school career. She was very determined to improve her skills whenever she had down time. As her senior year arrived, I saw that Liv’s demeanor changed about the game of basketball. Olivia earned a captain’s role and was ready to help lead the team.”
“Liv provided the grit to last year’s team. She wasn’t afraid to take a charge or dive on the ground to get that loose ball. She finished her senior averaging 7.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, and led the team in steals with 87. The Chargers finished the season as Central Wisconsin East Conference Champions and advanced to the Regional Final losing to a great Freedom team.,” added Nick.
“Olivia’s dream was to play college basketball and it was granted at Lakeland University. I wish Liv the best and hope she continues to have passion for the game of basketball,” added Nick.
“I never really got to play under Coach Chelsa Lehman since she was the JV coach, but she was always there for me on the bench in varsity games,” said Olivia. “She would be the one to calm me down when I was getting frustrated and tell me what wasn’t working and what was. I would always be messing with her in practice and getting yelled at for never being focused but that’s okay, I’m just that type of person. I truly thought of her as a friend more than a coach, but nonetheless I still respected her as one.”
“I am close to my family and this college life will take a little time for me to adjust to but I love taking new adventures and seeing where it takes me,” said Olivia. “I am not afraid of what my life holds just as long as I have my family egging me on to do bigger and better things. I am a freshman at Lakeland University, located in Plymouth, WI. I am playing on the women’s basketball team. I enjoy traveling and trying new things. I love taking pictures of landscapes and people. I plan to major in exercise science and a minor in photography.”
“I’m just excited to start this new chapter in my life,” said Olivia.
Photo Credit: The Shawano Leader
