Despite the loss, Haskell Community celebrates resilience at Basketball Watch Party

Lawrence, Kan. – The students and the community of the Haskell Indian Nations University gathered for a watch party for their women's basketball team.

From almost 300 miles away, they sent their players a message of hope.

Despite the loss, Haskell Community celebrates resilience at Basketball Watch Party

The Haskell women with Haskell with 16th Seed lost 95-80 against Dordt in the top seed in the de Witt Gymnasium in the Sioux Center, Iowa.

While the result of the game was not what they had hoped for, it did not stop the mood of the students.

Angel Ahtone Elizarraras was one of the organizers of the event.

For them, the event was more than just the basketball team.

“In local communities, one of our largest prayers is to gather,” said Ahtone Elizarrara. “I think that's what all these girls have to do: so that people realize that we are still here.”

Haskell has to do with ups and downs with the discounts of the federal employees.

“We were injured; Our community felt broken somehow, ”said Ahtone Elizarraras.

On Friday before the university's spring break, around 30 people came together in the university's auditorium. Senior Lauryn Callis was one of them.

“Although we are not there personally, they feel our energy from Lawrence,” said Callis.

For former students such as Summer Powell and her sister autumn, the basketball team restored the self -esteem of the community.

“It was very heartbreaking at first, but if you see the resistance, we overcome ourselves as much as indigenous people,” said Summer. “This is proof of people: we did our work and this is our work, and we just set it to play.”

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“There are still people here; We still do that, ”said Herbst. “It's a small factor, but it also plays a big role in our everyday life and what we go through.”

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For them it didn't matter what the result of the game was. The meeting was much more than that.

“No matter what external happens, we are just so strong and keep each other's hands, no matter where we are,” said Callis.

A prayer of togetherness.

“We are there for you. You are there for us, ”said Ahtone Elizarraras.

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KSHB 41 Reporter Fe Silva covers educational stories with K-12. Share your story idea with Fe.