Each year, Marine Harvest Canada (Mowi Canada West) challenges the local Klemtu men’s team to a game of basketball. Ian Roberts, MHC's communications director says, "It is an opportunity to raise funds to help defray the costs of transportation to the annual Prince Rupert All Native Tournament." This year it was the Marine Harvest Pylons vs the Klemtu Mixed Nuts.
The salmon farmers have taken a beating at the hands of the Klemtu locals for years, "so this year Marine Harvest invited some 'ringers'," Ian says, slyly. "Marine Harvest is a part sponsor of the University of BC Womens Basketball Program so we contacted the coach, Deb Huband, to ask for some assistance." Two players, Zara Huntley and Devan Lisson made the trip to Klemtu to partake in this extraordinary event.
This year the exhibition game was the opener for the Stewart Wallis Memorial Basketball Tournament held in Klemtu from April 2-4, 2010, and saw over 200 people come out to watch the game, "quite impressive for a village of 450." A Roberto Luongo signed Canucks jersey was raffled off as part of the fun and over $1000 was raised for Prince Rupert travel.
"The girls were amazing basketball players and helped the salmon farmers make it a lot closer than in prior years. That's right, 100-55 is a lot closer than past games," he says. The tournament opened with a feast during which the UBC girls, Kitasoo members, and Marine Harvest staff were joined together.
They were embraced by the basketball-happy community of Klemtu. The ball players, Zara and Devon, had time to visit a nearby salmon farm at Jackson Pass. Chief Archie Robinson is now discussing the possibility of a relationship between Klemtu and the UBC Thunderbirds Womens Basketball program with Coach Deb Huband, and having a basketball clinic set up in Klemtu and put on by the Thunderbirds.
Marine Harvest Canada and the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation have been partners in growing and processing BC farm-raised salmon for over 10 years now. Over 10 million pounds of salmon is produced and processed in Klemtu each year. Salmon farming, harvesting and processing now employs 60 people in the village and has reduced their unemployment from 90% to about 40%.
