Neechi Clan Esports Takeover Draws Hundreds at Bow Valley College

A group of Indigenous streaming and media stars from the gaming world took over Bow Valley College’s Esports Arena in March, drawing an audience of more than 650 with sessions on how to build a brand and stream it to the world.

Presented by Neechi Clan, the sessions also covered esports fundamentals, livestreaming, short-form content creation and pathways to making money from creative work.

Organizers (and twins) Shannon and Shauna Baker grew up in Stellat’en- a small First Nation in northern BC - and have more than 2 million followers across social media. Now based in Los Angeles, they say these events are important to grow community and show students what’s possible.

“Some people get into esports because they want to be the best gamer,” says Shannon, a co-founder of Neechi Clan. “There’s some people that are just great being themselves.”

The event was covered by Global News and CBC.

Shannon describes an Indigenous elder that streamed himself fishing in the game Red Dead Redemption, just one small part of the game. People loved it.

“He would just play and people loved watching him learn how to play video games,” she says.

Baker cofounded Neechi Clan, a group dedicated to growing the gaming community, especially through an Indigenous lens. She says the Bow Valley College Esports Arena was bigger and better than she’d imagined, saying itis a place that can anchor community.

“For us it’s about creating a safe space but also to involve other people, especially in rural communities,” Shannon says.

Dennis Asham is studying IT at Bow Valley College and while that’s where his career goals are, he also plays on the Bears Valorant esports team.

“Where I grew up, if I wanted to go to town it’s like an hour and half walk. Maybe two hours,” Ahsam says. “Money was kind of hard.”

“To have this where kids could be like, ‘Hey, for the school field trip we’re going to go to an esports centre and play video games!’ I’d have that permission slip signed before it was even written.”

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