Mayetta, KS – On Friday, January 25, 2019, Royal Valley Unified School District #337 in collaboration with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is hosting a tribal culture extravaganza at the Royal Valley High School Gymnasium, 101 East 1st Street, Hoyt, Kansas.
The Royal Valley School District is one of few in Kansas that serve the membership of a tribal nation, allowing the formation of a unique and special relationship with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Due to a large portion of Royal Valley’s basketball players being Prairie Band Potawatomi tribal members, both the tribe and school agreed basketball season is an opportune time to feature aspects of the Prairie Band Potawatomi culture in a positive celebration for the entire community.
The evening activities include:
– An Indian Taco Fundraiser will occur in the gym commons hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Food sales begin at 5 p.m.
– The PBP Nation’s color guard, We-Ta-Se Post 410 will post flags at approximately 5:30 p.m., prior to the start of the Royal Valley Lady Panthers varsity game. Tribal members will also perform a flag song, a vocal rendering with the same significance as the American national anthem.
– The Royal Valley boys and girls Varsity Basketball teams will unveil new warm-ups provided by the PBP Nation. Orange and yellow features on the side of the warm-ups signify the Prairie Band as Keepers of the Fire, along with the term, “Shïpshiyēk,” from the Prairie Band Potawatomi language, which translates to “Big Cat,” a term signifying the Royal Valley panther mascot. The back of the warm-ups will feature the PBP Nation seal.
– A special guest from Haskell Indian Nations University will announce each school’s lineups and scoring during the varsity games.
– Closing out the evening activities, the Royal Valley Singers and Dancers, the school’s Native American dance troupe will perform during half time of the Boys Varsity game showcasing their talent.
Royal Valley Lady Panthers Head Basketball Coach, Kyle Porter was instrumental in bringing the idea to life after being inspired by Nike N7 and their celebration of Native American Heritage Month. Nike N7 provides turquoise uniforms to colleges and universities with significant Native American student populations promoting fellowship, friendship and harmony. The Kansas State High School Activities Association holds rules specific to uniforms but providing unique warm-ups that incorporate Native American culture is allowable.
Porter said, “As a coach and teacher at Royal Valley I am excited to see our school find ways to celebrate positive components of our school and support the special partnership we have with the Potawatomi tribe.” The evening’s activities seek to promote the unique and diverse school district of Royal Valley. Approximately 221 students within the Royal Valley school district are Native Americans or descendants, and of those 60% are Prairie Band Potawatomi tribal members.
PBPN Chairman Joseph Rupnick said, “I’d like to thank Coach Porter and the entire Royal Valley School staff for their acknowledgment of the Prairie Band Potawatomi culture and providing an avenue for inclusion in the community. The Nation looks forward to Royal Valley’s continued support in recognizing and celebrating Native students and their culture.”