Grace White (Ojibwe/Sioux): “I’m Just A Rez Girl Who Had A Dream Of Going Division 1”

By Dan Ninham (Oneida)

Grace White is a junior transfer basketball player at Valparaiso University. She has already played two years of NCAA DI basketball. She is the daughter of Roger White (Ojibwe) and Tara Graves (Ojibwe/Sioux) of Red Lake, Minnesota. Her siblings are Ashley and the late Aaron White.

“My identity being an Ojibwe woman from the Red Lake Rez influences everything I do,” said Grace. “My cultural and tribal core values hold me together and give me strength to continue to push forward. I fall back on my practices, traditions, and culture heavily when it comes to being a student athlete. There are many struggles that go unseen being a ‘Rez girl’ playing at a division one university. Such as being away from my home and my people, but knowing I always have people watching over me and that I have my culture and beliefs to help guide me when things get tough. A lot of the time I am the first native person someone’s met and having the ability to educate others on just who indigenous people are is a privilege. Sometimes this leads to heated debates in class.”

“Some of the strengths I contribute to my team would be the experience (transferring from a division one), my work ethic and drive to win, being a versatile player, and having the ability to create plays especially with the shooters on our team,” said Grace. 

“In the future I plan to give back to my community and help the native youth in whatever ways I can,” said Grace. “Playing Division One basketball as a Native American woman helps me build a platform that will allow me to reach kids and lead by example. I want to show kids you CAN do what you set your mind to even through the struggle and having all of the odds stacked against you.” 

“I’ve had many positive influencers that have helped and continue to help me throughout my life,” said Grace. “My family is what is most important to me and having them believe, understand, support, and invest in me makes me only want to go harder because I owe it to them. My little brother Aaron who passed away in 2015 from cancer changed my entire life. He’s always believed in me and pushed me to be the best I could be. He had an app that would keep my stats when he watched me play and he would always say things like ‘D1 bound.’ My brother influenced how I thought about life and how I had to achieve my dreams for the both of us. Another huge influence for me has been the kids I am able to see and work with when I’m back home. Knowing I am looked up to and even labeled as some people’s ‘hero’ gives me a motivation and sense of pride I can’t even begin to explain.”

“I am just a ‘Rez girl’ that had a dream of going Division One and I didn’t let anything stop me,” said Grace. “I am not supposed to be where I am today. I lost my little brother who was my best friend to cancer, I come from a poor reservation, I’ve suffered from traumas and losses, and I am the first to go Division One from my home tribe.”

The NCAA D1 University of Denver came knocking on Grace’s door while she was in high school. The head coach then left to coach elsewhere before Grace arrived on the campus. Grace decided to stay even though oftentimes a new head coach would play his or her recruits more in this situation. “She didn’t see much time at Denver but hopes to be on the floor more at Valparaiso,” said head girls’ basketball coach Randy Holthusen, Red Lake High School. 

“She is two time all state selection and three-time all section selection,” said Coach Randy. “All-time points leader and rebound leader for Red Lake girls’ basketball: 2397 total points and 1197 total rebounds. In my opinion, the best player in section 8A history and one of the best players in Minnesota.”

Coach Randy continued: “She was a 4.0 GPA student and member of the National Honor Society that works just as hard in the classroom as she does on the hardwood. She was second in her class with numerous academic achievements. Wish every girl that came through the Red Lake girls basketball program would be a prototype of her. Takes pride in family, community and her native culture. She is also a jingle dress dancer and she dances throughout the United States.”

Grace’s Dad Roger said: “I am very proud of her. The struggles that she persevered through have shaped her into a beautiful young women. She is hard working, dedicated to her team always putting her team first. She has touched lives, young and old and seems to find time for everyone. As she continues through life I believe she will find success in anything she puts her mind to.”  

“The strength of heart and mind was apparent when I met Grace in the way she performed in relationships, in the classroom and on the basketball court,” said Susan Ninham, former principal at Red Lake Middle School and one of many forever fans. “Grace was an outstanding presence whose smile and ‘grace’ changed the atmosphere of any space she entered. The admiration we all have for her is visible in our eyes as we watch her play basketball.”

Valparaiso Head Women’s Basketball Coach Mary Evans said: “Grace is doing a wonderful job adjusting here at Valpo. She is really meshing with her teammates and is feeling more and more comfortable stepping up as a leader both on and off the court. She is a tremendous basketball player and an even better person and I can’t wait to coach her over the coming years.” 

Carrie Weinman is Grace’s best friend and teammate. “Grace is fearless,” Carrie said. “She is the strongest person I know and I am privileged to have met someone who shows me that getting knocked down in life means you get back up and fight even harder. Playing with her is such a fun experience because of her great court vision and high basketball IQ. I am lucky to have Grace as a best friend and teammate!” 

“The thing about Grace is she is such a good human being and she’s so selfless,” said her mom Tara. “She puts others before her. My own daughter is one of the best people I know. She makes me a kinder person with how she believes and feels. She is so spiritual naturally.” 

Mom Tara continued: “My three children one taken early. The pain I feel some days is overwhelming. My grandbabies are wonderful, and Grace. I am the lucky one to get to be the mom of Grace. Her name is who she is. Grace started on her Grandma’s court playing ball with her Aunt Serena and little brother Aaron. But her real dedication to the game of basketball started in 7th grade, when she became a player on the Red Lake girls Varsity team.  One day her brother Aaron and her Aunt Serena were hanging out and the talk was basketball, Aaron looked at Grace and said, “Grace, I think you can play D1 basketball.”  

“To talk from a more personal level being her mother, Grace is one of the strongest human beings I have ever met. She is kind and loving, and she and her sister Ashley are the best daughters anyone could have. Our family has been through so much. Her little brother was diagnosed with cancer, and left this world with her broken hearted. Aaron was Gracie’s best friend. Since the time they were little they were inseparable. They both shared the same friends and the love for basketball. Before Aaron took his journey he told Grace to follow her dreams. With tears in her eyes she smiled, and told me, “Mom, I don’t know if I can”.  Grace is a fighter and she is a believer that anything is possible. Grace has worked hard on the court and off. I feel Grace is such a wonderful role model for our Native American youth. As a mother no words can describe how proud I am of her. And I know her brother Aaron is a big part of her success, she’s not just playing for herself but part of her is playing for him!!” added Tara.

Grace White, you are supposed to be where you are today and tomorrow. 

Photographs credit: Valpo Athletics