Boston Celtics’ Kyrie Irving to be honored by Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is set to honor Boston Celtics player Kyrie Irving for his connection to the tribe and show of public support for years. Irving has often shown this support and a strong connection to his tribe, to include tweeting to his over four million followers about #NoDAPL and sporting a tattoo of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe seal on the back of his neck.

At the height of #NoDAPL protests between Standing Rock water protectors and law enforcement in November 2016, Irving tweeted, “My prayers and thoughts are with everyone protesting at Standing Rock, I am with you all. #NoDAPL Defend the Sacred.”

In a press release sent out Friday, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe stated they were “very proud to announce the homecoming of Kyrie Irving on August 23, 2018 at the Prairie Knights Pavilion.”

The celebration ceremony will begin at 9:00 AM and will include a naming ceremony, performances, and a community feed. This event is open to the public.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe lauded Irving’s career as a professional player for the Boston Celtics, whose accolades included being named 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft who also became an NBA Champion in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

They also noted Kyrie Irving is an Olympic Gold Medalist as well as an actor, designer, and father and described his Native familial connection to the tribe.

“The family connection of Kyrie Irving comes from the White Mountain family (also known as Mountain) of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The White Mountain family comes from the Bear Soldier District, on the South Dakota side of the reservation. Kyrie’ s late mother, Elizabeth Ann Larson, was adopted out of the Tribe when she was a child. Kyrie’s grandmother is the late, Meredith Marie Mountain, who is a citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Kyrie’s great­ grandfather is Moses Mountain and great-grandmother is Edith Morisette-Mountain.”

“Kyrie has long known about his heritage and connection to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and was an active supporter of the NoDAPL movement. Kyrie recently released a Nike N7 shoe, that he designed, to honor the water, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and his late mother.

Additionally, Kyrie has a tattoo of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal logo on the back of his neck.

Kyrie is very proud to be Lakota and to be from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.”

Standing Rock Chairman Faith stated in the release, “We could not be more excited, he has made us all very proud. To know that he has not forgotten his roots and is taking the time before he starts his basketball season to visit the People, his People, shows that Kyrie has great character and pride in his heritage. This is sure to be a memorable, special and exciting moment for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.”

Follow Indian Country Today’s associate editor and senior correspondent, Vincent Schilling (Akwesasne Mohawk) on Twitter – @VinceSchilling

Email – vschilling@indiancountrytoday.com