By Andrew Breaker
Selena Maguire is from Siksika and Piikani Nation, her parents are Keisha and Leon Maguire, her grandparents are Delia McMaster, Alvin Yellowfly, and Doug Yellowhorn on her mother side. Her grandparents on her father’s side are Joyce Royal and Dale Yellowfly. Selena is currently upgrading at Old Sun Community College, but she will be playing basketball at the Red Deer Polytechnic College in the fall. At the age of three, Selena began participating in sports, and she has participated in track and field, basketball, volleyball, and hockey throughout her life. Her experiences with these have primarily come from both of her families, notably with her parents. While she was growing up, she had a family of athletes who attended different colleges to reach their goals, these experiences have made a difference for Selena. Selena’s parents who still play the sports they love have left an impact on Selena’s journey, she mentioned she wouldn’t have been here without the support and love she’s gotten from her parents.
This fall, Selena can’t wait to play basketball at Red Deer College. Selena is appreciative of this opportunity from her coaches, Craig Many Guns and Avery Harrison, who will be mentoring her starting in the fall. Since the North American Indigenous Games, Selena and Avery have talked about Selena coming to Red Deer last year, when Selena thought she wasn’t ready for collegiate basketball. During that period, Selena’s mindset was all over the place; she felt unprepared, and her mental state was poor. She hopes that everything goes according to plan this year, winning the league and traveling to Montreal like coach Avery instructed. Selena will participate in open studies at school before deciding what she wants to do the following year.
“I just want to thank coach Avery and Craig for giving me this opportunity, for believing in me when I didn’t. Giving someone motivation can either go one way or another, but it really depends on who you are as a person and how you process it. Nobody should feel ashamed getting motivation from someone. You should take in that motivation and bring it to your game. Write any positive thoughts through the day, credit yourself for the small things, have time for yourself, and be grateful you are here today. Whatever you set your mind to, do it, look at me now, I’m off to college for basketball because this is what I wanted to do.”
Selena Maguire on giving motivation to someone to try to be like her.
Congratulations on this next step on your journey, you are making Siksika proud!
