The Minnesota Timberwolves will host Native American Heritage Night, presented by the Prairie Island Indian Community and Treasure Island Resort & Casino, on Tuesday, Nov. 17, when the Timberwolves host the Portland Trail Blazers. Native American Heritage Night is celebrated annually during the month of November, recognizing the heritage, traditions, and culture of the Bdewakantunwan Dakota people of the Prairie Island Indian Community.
“Once again, we thank the Minnesota Timberwolves for continuing to honor and showcase the rich traditions and heritage of our people,” said Grant Johnson, Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Council President. “Together we stand up for our community and commit to furthering education around the importance of diversity and inclusion.”
Jaylen Clark and Trey Lyles Visit with Prairie Island Indian Community: In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark and forward Trey Lyles visited the Prairie Island Indian Community. Clark and Lyles spent time learning Native drum and dance traditions from community families, elders, and youth. The Prairie Island Indian Community has worked for years to preserve and honor its Native Dakota art forms.
Lunch and Learn with the Prairie Island Indian Community Culture Team: The Prairie Island Indian Community Culture Team hosted a Lunch & Learn with Timberwolves and Lynx staff to learn the Dakota language and have a conversation about Dakota culture while also participating in a cultural craft.
Red Wing YMCA Refreshed Gym: The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, in partnership with Treasure Island and the Prairie Island Indian Community, unveiled a refreshed gymnasium at the Red Wing YMCA as part of the Dollar$ for Dunks / Dollar$ for Dimes program.
With every Timberwolves dunk and Lynx assist, Treasure Island, through its Island Impact corporate social responsibility program, invests in community initiatives that promote youth well-being through basketball. Over the program’s combined five seasons, Treasure Island has contributed $228,025 through the Dollar$ for Dunks / Dollar$ for Dimes program. The program’s first project supported the Red Wing YMCA with a gym update, scholarship funding, and equipment donations.
Timberwolves Artist Series: As part of the Timberwolves Artist Series, the team partnered with Kachina Yeager, a Bdewakantunwan Dakota and Tinta Wita artist from the Prairie Island Indian Community, to create a limited-edition sweatshirt available exclusively at The Team Store, a Fanatics Experience, during Native American Heritage Night.
Yeager’s design highlights two endangered plant species from the northern Minnesota range of the gray ‘timber’ wolf: the Great Lakes Jacob’s Ladder and the Rough-Fruited Fairybell.
“Minnesota Strong” PSA: The anti-bullying PSA, presented by the Prairie Island Indian Community, promotes a message of cultural inclusion with appearances from Timberwolves and Lynx players, coaches, alumni and members of the Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Council. The PSA will be shared across Timberwolves and Lynx social channels, with proceeds of up to $5,000 from shares and retweets throughout the month benefiting American Indian OIC.
American Indian OIC empowers American Indians who wish to pursue career opportunities by providing individualized education, training and human services in a culturally rich environment. The center also hosts Takoda Prep, an accredited alternative school for students ages 14-21, which welcomes young students as they explore the next steps in their paths as lifelong learners.
Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Member DJ and Anthem Singer: Austin Owen (DJ A.O.) will DJ alongside Timberwolves DJ Mad Mardigan for the evening.
Additionally, Tasha Campbell will sing the National Anthem before the start of the game.
Flag Song: Prairie Island Indian Community members and members of neighboring tribal communities will perform their Flag Song pregame, along with singers and dancers performing at halftime.
Tipi Display: The Prairie Island Indian Community will set up a tipi in the Target Center atrium.
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated annually during November. Native American Heritage Day is a civil holiday observed the day after Thanksgiving.
(info courtesy of Timberwolves)
