It was in the summer of 2010, while filming a documentary surrounding the culture of the annual Northern Cheyenne Chief’s Pow-Wow, that we all came into close view of the many challenges faced by the Northern Cheyenne community. The problems faced by the reservation were impossible to ignore. Abject poverty, epidemic drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, and general lack of services are the unfortunate reality of life on the reservation. We knew we had the abilities and skill sets to help and we knew that to overcome the challenges, we needed to focus on the many positives. No improvement has sticking power if it doesn’t grow from common ground and for many communities across the globe, this common ground is found in sports.

For the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, basketball is that common ground. Basketball is a popular and positive influence across all districts on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. For the Northern Cheyenne, basketball was the glue

So we established the “Habitat Laboratory” or Hablab Inc. as a formal vehicle to support underprivileged communities like the Northern Cheyenne. As former college level athletes ourselves, we could attest firsthand the power of sports to bring people and communities together.

The following year we held the first annual Northern Cheyenne Basketball Clinic for 150 players with just 1 coach and a small group of volunteers supported by out-of-pocket funds. This past summer, in 2013, thanks to support of individuals and organizations, we were able to expand our reach to 200+ children, community members and educators. On the court our program featured 4 nationally renowned high school and college coaches as well as education programs about substance abuse, bullying, and suicide prevention. By all measures, the Clinic was an amazing success and amazing fun for all participants – coaches, parents and players alike. An article this past fall in the Washington Post highlighted the perspectives of participants, check it out here (Panthers get a lesson in ‘rezball’). 

2014 is our fourth year and we will continue to grow the clinic according to our Healthier Communities Framework. 2014 will see a stronger focus on nutrition and healthy living education, increased parent and community engagement, we will host well renowned native speakers, as well as introduce a scholarship program to support the most promising and dedicated youth. We have no doubts that our goal of community engagement through positive experiences will be even stronger in 2014.

The Northern Cheyenne have taught us that empowerment stems from community engagement. We are proud in the ways the community has support this summer event and of the quality of the Northern Cheyenne Annual Clinic and we hope to raise additional funds this year to account for strong anticipated growth.

Thank you for your visiting this summers Clinic campaign page, we hope you think about support this amazing summer event. With your generous support you'll help us to complete our mission and build upon our framework for realizing healthier and sustainable tribal communities.

- HabLab Team