In a celebration of cultural heritage and community, the Arizona Diamondbacks will don unique cleats designed by Native American artists during their game at Chase Field this Sunday. This initiative, part of the team’s Native American Recognition Day, highlights the contributions and stories of Indigenous communities.
Cleats for a Cause
The cleats, which will be worn during both batting practice and the game, were hand-painted by artists ranging from young students to elders, as part of the ‘Cleats for a Cause’ initiative. This program, organized in collaboration with the Phoenix Indian Center, aims to provide a platform for Native artists to share their stories through art.
Jolyana Begay-Kroupa, CEO of the Phoenix Indian Center, expressed excitement about the project, noting the opportunity it provided for artists to express their cultural narratives. ‘A broad range of artists took a pair of cleats and had some time to put some art onto the shoe, a way of storytelling,’ she said.
Supporting Community Programs
After the game, the cleats will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to support community programs. The Diamondbacks also presented the Phoenix Indian Center with a $10,000 donation, further supporting their efforts to promote and preserve Native American culture.
Arizona is home to 22 Tribal Nations, and Maricopa County connects with over 500 Tribal Nations nationwide. The designs on the cleats reflect this rich diversity, with symbolic meanings significant to various communities.
A Day of Celebration
Native American Recognition Day, organized in partnership with Talking Stick Resort, marks 27 years of collaboration between the Diamondbacks and Indigenous communities. The day’s events include an inter-tribal youth baseball and softball parade, a ceremonial first pitch, and a national anthem performance by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Additionally, nearly 200 dancers accompanied by a drum group will perform on-field, highlighting the vibrant culture.
The event also features what organizers describe as the largest all-Native youth baseball and softball tournament in the United States. Since 1997, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation has invested over $100 million in community initiatives, demonstrating their commitment to supporting local and Indigenous communities.
Original reporting: 12News / KPNX (Phoenix) — read the source article.
