OKMULGEE, Okla.- Muscogee (Creek) Nation partnered with division I professional basketball player Lakota Beatty (Caddo Nation of Oklahoma). She taught the youth basic basketball skills that she learned throughout her career and spread mental health awareness during the two-day camp. This camp was located at the Mvskoke Dome on Aug. 19 and 20.
MCN Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Youth Program Coordinator Tishia Sewell decided to partner with Beatty when she spoke at the Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas where she talked about mental health awareness. This was her first time partnering with MCN. This took four to five months to plan due to funding, as well as setting up dates that worked within her schedule, according to Beatty.
There were 60 students that attended the basketball camp. It was split by age groups. The second to fifth grade group participated in the morning session, the 6th-12th grade group participated in the afternoon.
During the two-day camp students would begin by warming up before practicing. During the camp they watched a documentary on Beatty. She gave them information about mental health awareness, including techniques she learned through therapy.
Through these camps Beatty travels to different Native communities and encourages them to pursue athletic careers, as well as college.
Beatty has been practicing these basketball drills since a young age. Since her career involves a lot of traveling, she is only available for two to three day camps. The drills are designed for students to practice and improve their skills.
“My biggest thing is fundamentals so that’s just dribbling, shooting, passing and I don’t like to do fancy stuff especially for the little kids. But my biggest thing is I want to build a foundation, I want them to have fun but I want them to learn and get better,” Beatty said.
Promoting Values
During the drills Beatty encourages her students to be helpful, and be good teammates. She encourages them to tell others how they feel, or at least ask others how they are doing from time to time. She understands that sometimes it can be hard to get help, but believes that by being a good teammate it can translate into being a good student.
When it comes to teamwork off the court, Beatty sees that play out in how individuals serve their community.
“I think us being Native that’s where we are already community orientated,” Beatty said.
Beatty aims to teach youth healthy habits by encouraging them to stay hydrated, get adequate sleep, eat well and work on their drills. This is what has helped her throughout her life. She wants students to follow in her footsteps to lead healthier lives.
“I think ideally I could look back or fast forward ten years and they’d say ‘oh I went to your camp and you helped me with drills,’ mainly it’s to be a good athlete and to excel at basketball,” Beatty said.
Beatty gained her coaching style from her parents. She is also appreciative of her coaches that provided mentorship and made a difference in her career.
At the camp Beatty asked the students what they wanted to do when they grow up. Some of them wanted to be professional basketball players. “I hope they want to pursue that, also just being healthy, especially on the mentally health part, you guys have the behavioral center health here and not a lot of tribes do so that’s really important to utilize those services,” Beatty said.
She wants students to realize they can become a professional athlete like her, however instill that basketball is just a game. Beatty admitted she struggles with seeing that as well. “I have to remember that and working with them helps me like it’s just a game, it’s going to be over,” Beatty said.
When Beatty plays basketball games she understands she has to focus on her mental health, especially as an athlete. She strives to teach older youth the importance of not taking it too personally when they win or lose a game. “That’s not sustainable, especially for your mental health so I’m going to teach them the importance that it’s just a game and we are going to go hard. But to show them that I’m Indigenous and you can do it too,” Beatty said.
Before basketball games Beatty sometimes experiences anxiety. Beatty is still working on coping through mental pressure. She goes to therapy twice a week and performs breathing techniques.
“As I am teaching them and I’m learning from them as well, they’re having fun and not too stressed about it so I’m like ‘okay I need to take a lesson from when I go play pro’” Beatty said.
Beatty’s current basketball position is point guard and shooting guard. Her motivation to continue playing is to travel to new countries.
A Role Model for Others
Beatty knows that others look up to her as a role model, a position she holds as a high honor. It’s a privilege she does not take lightly. While growing up, she did not see talented athletes finish college. Later on she would realize that was due to opportunity barriers and resources.
Beatty sits on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) committee, which actively recruits Native athletes. This gives her a connection with college basketball coaches to recruit students with athletic potential.
“I didn’t have that when I was growing up and I didn’t know about recruiting. My dad played division I and he’s the only Native that I knew that showed me the ropes so I just had the greatest time in college but it was tough,” Beatty said. “I flew to all of my games and played on TV, I want more Native kids to experience that, it’s life changing for sure.”
Once Beatty’s basketball career is over she wants to become a licensed counselor and open her own practice. She wants to practice within Indigenous communities. “I think now I would love to have a sports psychology curriculum that will help with the process of playing, especially if you are playing at a high level, but hopefully I can talk to Natives about the generations of trauma and stuff like that,” Beatty said.
The advice Beatty would like to give to others is if you want it, you can get it and that life is a process of getting there through trials, but good things will happen with enough hard work.
Beatty felt grateful to have the opportunity to be invited by MCN to appear at the camp. “where I learned most about the game is during basketball camps,” Beatty said.
Beatty will appear at more camps in the summer. She has done approximately 15 or 16 camps, but is looking forward to doing more during the off season. Beatty will be playing basketball in the Netherlands during the next fall and spring season.
