by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Michael Thomas is 65 years old and lives in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. He is an enrolled member of the St. Croix Chippewa of Wisconsin. His Indian name is Gweki gaa bow and it means, “turns around”.
Michael is a Minnesota State High School certified basketball official. He not only is an official but he will be ending a decade of consecutively officiating the state tournament in this March of 2020. He also coaches his grandkids and great grandkids in various sports.
Being a US Army veteran contributes to Michael enabling his tribal identity to shine. “My tribal core values are family, community, equity and team alliance,” said Michael. “When I coach I utilize all players and bring out their best abilities to contribute to a harmonious team. When coaching my grandkids it is a family effort. My daughter and son in law as well as my adult grand children help with coaching and keeping score. My wife helps take care of the younger kids and is the team’s best cheerleader. Our teams become a happy functioning community. When I am officiating basketball my family comes to watch some of my games and they are always at my state tournament games.”
“As a basketball official I encourage teams to play fair and treat all players with value,” said Michael. “I treat kids of color with value and I believe it helps bring out their true potential. My ability to officiate a fair game earns me respect from coaches and players.”
“The late Bruce Graves was a huge influence on my life during my youth,” said Michael. “He worked at the American Indian Center where I spent a lot of time. He provided me with food, guidance, travel expenses for tournaments and employment. He showed me that sport was a way out of poverty and a healthy way to have greater life experiences. Bruce sparked my passion for working with youth in sports and he is the reason I am willing to help pay for team expenses.”
“There was a 7’ Minneapolis Muskies player, Ray Crump, that worked at the Northside Unity House, who took me under his wing when I was in 4th grade,” said Michael. “He taught me how to shoot and gave me my love for basketball.”
“The late Chuck Buckanaga was my boxing coach in the early 70’s,” said Michael. “He taught me to be disciplined, respectful and a hard worker. He coached me through winning the Indian State championship and to the Nationals in Reno Nevada.”
Michael takes pride in having many hats on and they are all related to family. The journey is leading a good life. This is one of the seven grandfather’s teachings: Mino-bimaadiziwin obiminizha’aanaawaa meaning “They lead a good life”.
“I work in my retirement years at a golf course repairing divots in the early morning hours so that I have access to one of the best PGA golf courses in my area for free,” said Michael.
“I hold the high score record in a basketball game at the American Indian Center in Minneapolis. I scored 67 points in one game back in the mid 1970’s. The record still stands today,” added Michael.
“I have coached basketball, football, fast pitch softball, baseball and t-ball since the early 2000’s,” said Michael. “All the teams I have coached have had a winning record for the season. I have coached many of the teams to the championship game of the season or tournament.”
“My father, brothers and I sang at many traditional powwow’s on my fathers drum, Minneapolis Ojibwe,” said Michael.
“As a Minnesota State high school official I have been selected for the state tournament for the past nine years,” said Michael. “Every year approximately 450 officials apply for 48 openings. I have been awarded the championship games in three different divisions, which is the ultimate game to get for an official.”
Officials provide advice for others to follow in their footsteps. Michael also follows his own advice. “Keep yourself healthy,” said Michael. “I do many things all year long to keep myself in shape for officiating. I eat healthy everyday, I keep active daily and see my doctor regularly. I follow the recommended check ups pleasant or not.”
“Set goals and work hard to achieve them. Get support from positive people who will help you reach your goals,” added Michael.
Photo Credit: Michael Thomas Family
This was a great article
Thx
That’s my Uncle!!! So proud of him ❤️
Look at you!!!!
That is an awesome article, Mike has made a lot of people proud and I am one of them. It is an honor to know Mike .
This is my Uncle Mike! I have always looked up to him and will continue!
Always had a good eye for officiating had many a great talks with him.
Micheal Dean, You know ENTIRE STAPLES FAMILY Loves you and your FAMILY… We are ALL so very PROUD OF YOU….. GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT GREAT. MEN DOING A GREAT JOB…..