Tennyson McCarthy: “It’s important to be uncomfortable”

Sept. 27, 2024 - As a student-athlete entering her second season with the UBC Okanagan Heat women’s basketball team, Tennyson McCarthy has experienced a lot of growth in the past year.

The 6’2” forward from Lake Country, B.C. was a versatile multi-sport athlete in high school, also starring in volleyball. Choosing which sport to pursue in university can often be a tough decision, but basketball was a natural fit given her family’s passion for the game.

“All my siblings played basketball. My mom played basketball, and so did my dad. Obviously, it was an easy choice for me to pursue basketball too,” says McCarthy.

“I've also always been tall. Even since I was a kid, I was always the tallest. Obviously, that also helps,” she says with a smile.

With a strong rookie season under her belt, she promises to be a key part of a program on the rise. The Heat are coming off an 11-9 season that saw them win the first Canada West playoff game in program history. ​

“As a first year it was nice to have different people to look up to and model my game off of, because the jump from high school to university is so big and different,” says McCarthy, who noted teammates like Jaeli Ibbetson were instrumental in helping her adjust to the next level.

But for McCarthy, basketball is just a small part of her journey. As a proud Métis student-athlete, she is committed to embracing her Indigenous heritage and sharing it with others.

Discovering her Heritage

For McCarthy, learning about her heritage has been an ongoing journey of discovery.

“My Métis culture wasn’t something I learned about until a little later in life,” says McCarthy. “My mom didn't know until she started having kids, then started the process to get us into Métis nation for citizenship. I didn't start getting specifically into Metis culture until I came to university, where there have been lots of resources for me to get involved.”

McCarthy has made it her mission to not only learn about her culture, but to actively engage in it. She is currently majoring in Indigenous Studies at UBCO, inspired by a keen interest in Indigenous ways of living and knowing. Ultimately, she has career aspirations of becoming a lawyer specializing in Indigenous law.

Sport has also provided McCarthy with a unique way to connect with her roots. In 2023, she had the opportunity to represent Team British Columbia in U19 basketball at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Recognizing the important role that sports play in Indigenous culture, continued support of NAIG was included in the 94 Calls to Action created by The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in 2015.

Call to Action #88: We call upon all levels of government to take action to ensure long-term Aboriginal athlete development and growth, and continued support for the North American Indigenous Games, including funding to host the games and for provincial and territorial team preparation and travel.

The Halifax edition of the games brought together over 5,000 athletes from 756 Indigenous nations. It was a life-changing experience for McCarthy, who was able to combine her love for basketball with her Indigenous roots.

“Basketball is a big part of Indigenous culture. There was so much support at all the games,” says McCarthy. “There were always tons of fans and lots of cultural events during the tournament. Elders from BC were able to come with us to support our team and help us connect culture with our game.

While the competition in Halifax was the main event, McCarthy believes it was the bonds she formed with fellow competitors that made the experience exceptionally memorable. Participants eagerly swapped pins, collecting mementos from across the country to decorate their lanyards.

“Anytime we got on the bus or we’re at an event, people were like, ‘Do you have any pins? Let’s trade pins.’ They were all really sought after. That was one way I was able to talk and get to know everyone.”

“It was one of the best experiences of my life to combine my culture with my sport. I reflect all the time and wish I could go back because it was just so amazing. When I came back home, I had a passion for being Indigenous and showing up in my sport that way.”

Before the games, McCarthy also had the opportunity to coach a basketball clinic for Indigenous girls in the Vancouver area. She found it rewarding to have an opportunity to inspire the next generation.

“I find it really important to help young girls and women continue to grow,” says McCarthy. “It’s really important to foster that want and desire to play basketball, helping them continue to get better and hopefully stay in the game.”

McCarthy is grateful for the platform she has as a student-athlete and is always looking for ways to inspire younger generations through sport and cultural connection.

“I like to show youth that they can pursue a post-secondary career,” adds McCarthy. “There are plenty of resources out there for Indigenous people, and I want to help them find those resources to achieve their goals.”

Truth and Reconciliation

Through her journey, McCarthy has come to understand the need to confront and reflect on the painful legacy of residential schools.

As Canadians continue to work towards truth and reconciliation, McCarthy believes it’s essential to be uncomfortable on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and treat it as a day of reflection.

“It’s a big day of reflection for everyone. Everyone needs to reflect on the tragedy that was residential schools. It has lasting effects that are still happening today.” says McCarthy.

McCarthy also encourages people of all cultures across Canada to actively engage year-round in educational opportunities and events open to the public year-round as a way to build connection, deepen their understanding and break down cultural barriers.

Looking forward

As she continues to grow on and off the court, McCarthy is excited for the upcoming season with her Heat teammates. ​

One event she’s been particularly looking forward to is the team’s trip to the Nisga’a Nation in northern B.C., taking place this weekend.

The “Clash of Clans” pre-season women’s basketball tournament is bringing together four Canada West competitors, including UBCO, MacEwan, Regina and Mount Royal. It’s an opportunity for the teams to learn about Nisga’a culture and engage with Indigenous communities in the area.

It also carries special meaning for Tennyson, because her sister lives in the Nisga'a Nation.

“She's been telling us that the kids are so excited for us to come up there and they get an opportunity to watch some competitive basketball,” said McCarthy before the trip. “I think the coaches are also putting on a little clinic for people in the area who want to improve. Hopefully we can inspire one more girl to play basketball just by playing."

"As a team, we're just really excited and thankful to the Nisga'a Nation for inviting us to come up there.”