On the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon, an annual basketball tournament draws spectators and youth athletes from all across the Northwest. But to many on the reservation and beyond, the impact of this tournament is bigger than basketball.
Basketball Against Alcohol and Drugs, or BAAD, was first organized by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation over thirty years ago to pair the community’s love of basketball with education on drug and alcohol abuse. Students from Pendleton, Oregon went to the BAAD tournament to hear directly from participants and organizers why this event is so important.
Nick Eastwood played in the BAAD tournament as a youth athlete. This year, his daughter Sinaloa is playing in the tournament and he is helping to organize the event. Student reporters in the Montana Media Lab workshop caught up with Nick Eastwood in between games.
“The entire week of the tournament, I’m very excited about it and I anticipate it. And, you know, I love to volunteer at it. I love to ref at it. I love to coach at it,” Eastwood said.
Nick Eastwood also spoke to student reporters about why he thinks the tournament is effective in its ability to raise awareness on drug and alcohol abuse.
“ I believe that as many resources as we can put. Or roadblocks between, um, our youth and the influence of alcohol and drugs is going to have a greater impact in the long run. So I really, like, deeply in my heart, in my soul, believe in the purpose of this tournament. And that’s why I’m so invested and I’m so passionate about it, and I love to make sure that we never forget our purpose.”
After several days of reporting on the tournament, students assembled a script, recorded narration using a professional recording studio, incorporated natural sounds, and ultimately showcased their hard work to a room full of tribal leaders, family and community members.
Students said they particularly enjoyed learning about the interview process and how to ask people respectfully about difficult topics.