IRAPUATO, Mexico — Frances Vollett has spent the past year proving she belongs, and doing it with purpose.

The 15-year-old forward is Kaska Dena through the Liard First Nation in Yukon on her father’s side and Mohawk on her mother’s. That identity isn’t just part of her story — it drives it.

Last summer, Vollett helped Team Ontario capture gold at the 15U National Championships, establishing herself as one of the country’s top young prospects. A few months later, she was selected to represent Ontario at the inaugural National Indigenous Basketball Camp on Tsuut’ina First Nation — a national gathering of over 50 Indigenous athletes and coaches, with two girls and two boys chosen from each province and territory.

“It was really great being a part of the National Indigenous Basketball Camp,” said Vollett. “Indigenous kids from across the country came together to play basketball. I met a lot of new people, and it was an honour to be selected by my province.”

Vollett’s impact was immediate. By the end of the camp, she was named one of four MVPs, recognized not just for her skill, but for how she carried herself in a high-performance, high-pressure setting. The camp also offered her first real exposure to Canada Basketball’s national team environment — something she credits for helping her feel prepared when U16 training camps arrived in the spring.

“It was my first exposure to Canada Basketball,” she said. “I learned the expectations — the schedule, doing everything together as a team. It helped me feel prepared when I arrived at camp in March and again in June.”

That preparation paid off. Vollett earned her spot on the final U16 Women’s National Team this summer, finding out during a meeting that she had made the roster.

“I was really happy and excited — and a bit relieved,” she said. “It was suspenseful and stressful at the moment, but I’m so proud to represent Canada.”

Now in Irapuato, Mexico, Vollett has started every game for Canada at the FIBA U16 Women’s AmeriCup, averaging eight points on 53.3 per cent shooting, along with six rebounds and nearly two steals per game. Her steady two-way play has been key to Canada’s strong start at the tournament.

“I’m proud to represent Indigenous people and serve as an inspiration to other youth Indigenous athletes that we can play on the national level,” she said. “Anything is possible if you put in the work.”

From a 15U national championship, to an MVP at the National Indigenous Basketball Camp, to now representing her country on the international stage, Frances Vollett’s path is just getting started. With Canada chasing a podium finish in Mexico, she’s showing she has the presence, poise, and performance to lead at the highest level her age group offers.