by By Dan Ninham, Contributing Writer
Sisters Isabel and Lucy Young represented the Forest County Potawatomi and Menominee tribes when they played for the Team Wisconsin 16U girls’ volleyball team at the North American Indigenous Games 2023 at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Isabel will be a junior and Lucy a freshman this school year at New Berlin West High School.
Inspired at young ages to compete
Isabel was inspired to be an athlete by competing against older competition in the middle school and specialized in volleyball.
“When I first became an athlete in middle school volleyball, I was inspired to be as good as the upper classmen that I have seen,” said Isabel Young. “Now that I am older and have gained more skills and confidence, I am inspired to be an athlete that the future NAIG athletes in Wisconsin will look up to.”
“Not only do I want future athletes to physically train hard for the next games, I want them be mentally prepared for the games and go in with a strong mindset,” added Young.
Young is continuing to accomplish on the court as well as in the classroom. The older age group athletes realize the current NAIG will be their only chance to compete since they will be too old when the next one occurs four years late.
“Having the once in a lifetime chance to be on the Wisconsin NAIG team, my top athletic accomplishment is being able to say, ‘We are the Champions’ and being able to bring home the gold medal as an undefeated team with my sister,” said Young. “As a team, we trained hard every month for a year. We played our best every game to reach the spot we are now.”
Younger sister Lucy has been positively influenced by her older sister. She said, “I’ve been greatly inspired by my sister to do volleyball since I watched in the stands for two years before I tried it and realized how great of a sport it really is,” said Lucy Young.
“Being able to play alongside my older sister Isabel, from the moment we were putting our shoes on the first practice to the moment we stepped off the volleyball court with gold around our necks,” added Young.
Indigenous core values are influential
Indigenous athletes have core values that defined how they practiced and competed. Isabel talked about her connections to her culture with athletics. She said, “When it comes to practicing and competing, respect can take on many different forms like playing fair, following the rules, and even treating your opponents, teammates, and coaches with kindness and dignity. This means showing up on time, putting in your best effort, and being supportive. Respect also means treating yourself the same way you treat your teammates.”
“Taking care of your body and mind and recognizing that you are an important person who deserves to be treated with respect and kindness. By embodying respect in all aspects of your life, you can become a better athlete and person,” added Isabel.
Indigenous core values drive indigenous athletes in practice and competition. “We continue to learn the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Love, Respect, Bravery, Truth, Honesty, Humility, and Wisdom,” said Lucy. “Respect; that value continues in all aspect of our daily lives I feel. Treat other how you want to be treated.”
“I look up to my ancestors and elders who all played a part of representing their tribe in their own way,” said Lucy. “NAIG is my way of doing my part of representing my tribe.”
Mutual highlights at NAIG 2023
All athletes should have one or more highlights while being at the NAIG 2023. Oftentimes the competition environment leads memory making.
“My highlight of being at the NAIG 2023 is being able to play with girls I can relate to on a cultural level and create amazing friendships with them,” said Isabel. “After winning every single game the excitement of the team and crowd made it so much more memorable.”
Competing for Team Wisconsin means so much to represent your tribe and state by competing in the NAIG 2023. Isabel talked about how this means to her. She said: “Representing my tribe and state is an honor and responsibility. It means that I am a positive role model for others. I have the opportunity to inspire others and show them what is possible when you work hard, stay focused, and stay true to your values.”
“Even if we won or lost a point, I was still jumping my highest out of excitement for even being a part of the NAIG team,” added Lucy.
Coaches influence excellence
The Team Wisconsin coaches were Sammi Jo Wescott and Jalen Corn. “They encouraged us to be our best from the first practice till the end of the games,” said Isabel. “During NAIG, they have always supported us and helped bring our mindsets up when we needed it.”
The coaches were not available for comment.
“Our coaches wanted to win just as every person wanted to, but the most important thing for the coaches was to see the team having fun on the court,” added Lucy.
