“Well known as a former Lady Griz basketball player, University of Montana, 1992-1996. Malia was a pioneer in women’s basketball as she was the first Montana Native American woman to receive a Division 1 scholarship.”

Malia Kipp was born to Carl Dennis and Barbara Dee Ann Kipp in Browning on June 30, 1974, and was named Barbara after both grandmothers and her mom. She is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe and of Oneida and Norwegian descendant. She grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation with many friends and multiple cousins from both sides of her family. 

Malia enjoyed the freedom of the outdoors, riding bikes,  swimming, ice skating, sledding, and Native dancing. She also loved to play basketball, first with her Dad and then against the boys, especially her talented older cousins, and in family pick-up games.

Malia graduated with honors from Browning High School in 1992, lettering in three sports all four years and earning athletic records that still stand today. During her senior year, she was offered a basketball scholarship to the University of Montana by Coach Robin Selvig. She was so excited and honored to be playing for the Lady Griz. In Missoula, the Lady Griz played before a sold-out arena of dedicated, supportive, and loud Lady Griz fans. Her team won 4 Big Sky Championships and went to 3 NCAA tournaments. Coach Selvig also took her team to Europe one summer, where they traveled and played against European teams. Her teammates and Coach Selvig held a special place in her heart.

She made history by becoming the first female tribal member in Montana to earn a full-ride scholarship to play Division I college basketball. Each year in the U.S., nearly 5,000 high-school girls’ basketball players earn a full-ride Division I scholarship. In 1992, Kipp was the only Native American. Living in two worlds presented challenges, and so did the pressure to succeed at the University of Montana. Her tenure as a University of Montana Lady Griz, under legendary coach Robin Selvig, paved the way for another record-breaking moment. In 2007, Malia was inducted into the Montana Indian Athletic Hall of Fame as its first female member.

Malia’s last Missoula home game was senior night. Earl Old Person requested to sing the Blackfeet Honor Song for her. Back then, this took some discussion between the University and the NCAA to be allowed. The Raw Hide Singers (Earl, Kenneth Old Person, Teddy Williamson, Archie St. Goddard, and Paul Old Chief) walked out, and the entire packed house crowd rose, standing silently as Earl spoke. He explained the Honor song and why they were honoring Malia. He called her a warrior, fighting and representing Native Americans everywhere. This was always expected of her, and she did it. Earl said she did her best. However, always being strong is a heavy responsibility. She was aware that others were watching her, and she made it look easy even when it wasn’t. Throughout her life, she was inspired by words spoken and lived by her Grandma Kipp, “No one said life would be easy. Know that it will be worth it.”

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