Senior girl basketball players from Bella Coola recently won the zones but also the hearts of a café owner in Fort St. James.
When members of the Sir Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School went into the MarLea’s Bannock Shack Cafe, owner Mark Barfoot asked if anyone wanted to drum.
“One of the players [Shaylen Moody] said she would so I handed her my drum and then the whole group started to sing,” Barfoot told Black Press Media. “It was really awesome.”
They sang the Women’s Warrior Song and the Honour Song and then Barfoot sang the Eagle Song.
“It was quite the experience,” Barfoot said.
Barfoot caught the scene by video and then someone else posted it to Facebook including sharing it to a page in Bella Coola.
“It was the most beautiful thing ever,” coach Ryan Parr said. “It was so cool. Our whole community was so proud of those girls for stepping up and doing that.”
Barfoot is originally a member of Nak’azdli Whut;en First Nation at Fort St. James. He lived there until he was 10 years of age and then moved back and forth several times.
On Nov. 3, 2023 he opened the café and said business is going well.
Next summer he will be coordinating the drumming for the eighth annual All-Nations Gathering on Canada Day at the Chief Kwah Hall.
“We are inviting any drumming groups who want to attend to do so. We are sending out an invite.”
READ MORE: Bella Coola senior girls basketball team captures zones championship
READ MORE: Day 7 Schedule for All Native Basketball Tournament
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