North American Indian Tennis Association Championships focus on culture, community

“We had new people this year who were part of the tournament because they saw it on USTA Serve Tennis,” Mullican said. “It allowed us to add in some higher-level players. We had 10 to 12 active high school players and probably 6 to 10 collegiate-level players who were a part of the tournament. Most of the open finals were collegiate players.

“The USTA has helped us raise the quantity and quality of player. That will help us step up to the next level and take it to the next generation.”

The weekend commenced with a ceremony that included drumming, flutists, singing, dancing and a traditional blessing from a Native American chief. NAITA held its annual meeting/banquet that included raffles, prizes and special speakers. A yearly sportsmanship award was presented to Kayla Chisum, who has participated in the NAITA tournament for years and had several family members on-hand.

The 2025 tournament director and hosting site was announced at the banquet, as Anthony Miller will organize next year’s tourney at Oklahoma City Tennis Center. Miller—who played collegiately at Southwestern Christian University (OK) and is a teaching pro at OKC Tennis Center—takes the torch from Knight, who Mullican credited for running an outstanding event this year.

Mullican also thanked Mary Buschmann, USTA Missouri Valley CEO and executive director, for attending the entire weekend and helping run the tournament desk. He said Edmond Center Court was a terrific host facility, and participants are excited to compete at OKC Tennis Center next year.

“They’re two of the best public facilities—we think—in the nation,” Mullican said. “But we know they are at least in the Missouri Valley.”

With the financial help of a grant from the USTA Missouri Valley, all participating children at the kids’ clinic received a new tennis racquet to continue playing the sport as well as NAITA-branded T-shirts, hats, towels and drawstring bags. Mullican noted multiple previous NAITA players volunteered at the kids’ clinic.

“We had several of our 20-, 30-something-year-olds give their time, energy or were just having a blast pouring into the next generation,” Mullican said. “For us, that’s such a big deal. In the Native American community obesity, diabetes and—since Covid—the suicide rate is so high. To see our kids creating healthy habits, being active, having the opportunity to be part of something that can maybe change generational curses is a big deal.”

Mullican, who is Chickasaw, said fewer than 100 people from his tribe currently speak the native tongue. That’s emblematic of the cultural struggle many Native American tribes are enduring and a key reason why the NAITA Championships—which first occurred in 1976—are so significant. The event also doubles as a de facto family reunion.

“Some of our Native brothers and sisters we don’t see all year-round,” Mullican said. “We get an opportunity to come together and be together for the weekend to share stories, share opportunities, play the fun game of tennis and compete with one another at a pretty high level.

“To me, that’s the best thing of all is the community. The fact you’re getting to catch up with the oldest to the youngest. And find out what they’re doing, how they’re involved in tennis and how they are thriving.”

To view a photo album of the NAITA National Championships, click here. For more information on the North American Indian Tennis Association and additional photos from the weekend, check out the organization’s Facebook page.

NAITA Junior National Championship Winners

Boys' 12s: Cole Dunbar

Boys' 14s: Cole Dunbar

Boys' 18s: Cayden Williams

Girls' 14s: Hope Gorham

Girls' 18s: Lily Koontz

NAITA Adult National Championship Winners

Men's Open Singles: Braden Young

Men's Open Doubles: Brady Matthews/Chris Burns

Women's Open Singles: Laike Reader

Mixed Open Doubles: Laike Reader/Cassidy Reader

Coed Open Doubles: Caroline Henry/Fede Silva

Men's Singles NTRP 2.5-3.5: Parker Williams

Men's 55 & Over Singles: Lee Maytubby

Men's Doubles NTRP 2.5-3.5: Sam Battiest/Cayden Williams

Men's 55 & Over Doubles: Kent Williams/Steven Henry

Women's Singles NTRP 2.5-3.5: Chelsea Ragland

Women's 55 & Over Singles: Julia Corty

Women's Doubles NTRP 2.5-3.5: Jana Possley/Natalee Knight-Glass

Women's 55 & Over Doubles: Julia Corty/Amy Wix

Mixed Doubles NTRP 2.5-3.5: Jeffrey Gonzales/Chelsea Ragland