In honor of Indigenous Heritage Month, the Humber Hawks Women’s Basketball Team will host a special MMIWG2S+ game on November 22, 2025, during their home game against Mohawk College.
This game is dedicated to raising awareness about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+) crisis, a vital cause impacting Indigenous communities across Canada.
Honoring Indigenous Voices Through Sport
The MMIWG2S+ crisis has been a long-standing issue, with Indigenous communities facing violence, systemic neglect, and a lack of justice.
Kalani Thomas, an Indigenous student-athlete at Humber, spearheaded this initiative, aiming to use basketball as a platform to educate and advocate for change. “I wanted to dedicate this game to MMIWG2S+ because it’s a crisis Indigenous communities have faced for generations,” shared Thomas.
The team will wear custom jerseys designed to honor MMIWG2S+, furthering their commitment to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with those impacted by the crisis.
Fundraising For MMIWG2S+ Support
The Humber Hawks Women’s Basketball Team has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support this cause. Funds will cover the custom jerseys and additional donations will go to an Indigenous community organization.
The team hopes to contribute to the ongoing efforts of healing, advocacy, and cultural preservation in Indigenous communities.
You can support the MMIWG2S+ initiative by donating to the GoFundMe campaign.
Amber Bechard, assistant coach of the Humber Women’s Basketball Team, expressed the importance of this initiative, saying, “When Kalani came forward with this idea, the entire team was on board.” The Indigenous Education and Engagement team also played a vital role in supporting the event, promoting it, and attending the game in solidarity.
For Kalani Thomas, this initiative is deeply personal. Growing up on a native reserve, Thomas shared, “It’s comforting to have other Indigenous people such as my assistant coach Amber Bechard around me. They provide a sense of comfort knowing I’m not alone on this journey.”
The Humber Hawks Women’s Basketball Team is excited to continue using their platform to raise awareness for the MMIWG2S+ crisis. As the team prepares for the November 22, 2025 game, they invite the community to join them in supporting Indigenous communities and advocating for change.
Don’t miss the chance to support the team and contribute to the cause. Donate to the GoFundMe campaign and show your support for MMIWG2S+.
However, this is not the only initiative the team have taken. They also celebrated Black History Month in the past,
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Humber Hawks Women’s Basketball Team is a two-time OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association) champion, showing the team’s consistent success both on and off the court.
- Kalani Thomas, the leader behind the MMIWG2S+ initiative, is not only a dedicated athlete but also an advocate for Indigenous rights, using her platform to drive change in sports and beyond.
- Humber Polytechnic continues to be a leader in diversity and inclusion, with initiatives like this one showcasing the institution’s commitment to fostering meaningful discussions and action within the community.
