Minor League Baseball honors Native American Heritage Night in Albuquerque

2026 Golden Bobblehead Award is given to the organization with the best stadium promotion or event

Shaun Griswold

October 16, 2026

The Albuquerque Isotopes received an award from Minor League Baseball for the best promotion or event this season. The award recognized the team’s Native American Heritage Night, which featured jersey designs by Pueblo artists and ceremonial buffalo dances for the crowd.

More than 9,600 people attended the game on Aug. 8, the fifth largest crowd for the team this season. It was part of the growing trend of professional baseball teams doing outreach with Native American communities in response to harm caused by stereotypical mascots. Native American Heritage Nights took place this season in Boston, San Francisco, Indianapolis and other cities.

The Isotopes partnered with the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center to work with local artists on jersey and hat designs worn by the players. Three thousand hats designed by Brittney Juancho (Isleta Pueblo) were distributed to fans for free, and thousands of jerseys designed by Evone “Snowflake” Martinez (Acoma Pueblo) were sold.

“We just asked for guidance,” Isotopes GM Chrissy Baines told Native News Online before the game. “How do we do this? How do we come across as being super authentic in creating this partnership?"

1.Shaun Griswold. Has Major League Baseball Figured Out That Native Americans Are More Than Mascots?. Native News Online, Aug. 12, 2026.
2.Isotopes' Native American Heritage Night Wins Golden Bobblehead For Best Promotion/Event in MiLB, Oct. 13, 2026.

Spotted an error? Suggest a correction.

1.Shaun Griswold. Has Major League Baseball Figured Out That Native Americans Are More Than Mascots?. Native News Online, Aug. 12, 2026.
2.Isotopes' Native American Heritage Night Wins Golden Bobblehead For Best Promotion/Event in MiLB, Oct. 13, 2026.

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