Native American Initiatives

In partnership with members of the Native American community, the Braves have developed initiatives throughout our region that highlight the enduring vibrancy, historical, contemporary relevance, and ongoing contribution of our Native American brothers and sisters.

Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase

At the behest and in partnership with working group members, the Atlanta Braves are proud to host the annual Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase at Truist Park. The top 50 high school baseball players of Native American descent from around the country will be selected to participate in a pro-style workout and a showcase game at Truist Park.

The Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase highlights Native American high school baseball players who aspire to play the game at the next level. Professional scouts and collegiate coaches will be in attendance.

"We Are Still Here" Exhibit at Truist Park

To honor and recognize the impact Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have had across the Southeast, the Braves have installed an exhibit at Monument Garden entitled, "We Are Still Here."

The exhibit's content serves as an acknowledgement and education to Braves fans on the original home of the Cherokee – Qualla Boundary, which spanned 140,000 square miles covering portions of eight states: Georgia, Alabama, South and North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky.

In addition to the exhibit, fans will be able to view a framed Braves jersey that was presented to the EBCI Principal Chief Richard Sneed on Opening Day 2020 by Hank Aaron.

To view the exhibit, please visit Monument Garden in Truist Park.

Native American Education

Additional efforts to expand Native American education have included working with Jim Langford, president and founder of the Coosawattee Foundation for both internal and external educational programs to introduce Georgia Native American history curriculum to school systems in the state of Georgia, primarily to 8th graders. Jim has also led internal discussions with Braves staff about the history of Native Americans in our state.

National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day

The Atlanta Braves respectfully recognize National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day on May 5. Tragically, more than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native women (84.3 percent) have experienced violence in their lifetime. The murder rate is ten times higher than the national average for women living on reservations and is the third leading cause of death for Native American women.*

*2016 study conducted by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention.

Cherokee Indian Fair in Cherokee, NC

The Atlanta Braves are honored to receive an invitation to participate in the annual Cherokee Indian Fair. As part of the visit, the Braves participated in the annual parade to kick-off the festival, as well as had a display on the fairgrounds for fair attendees to play games, receive Braves promotional items, and take pictures with Truist Park as their backdrop.

Cherokee Traditions at Truist Park

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the Atlanta Braves hosted "Cherokee Traditions at Truist Park.” Featuring Principal Chief Richard G. Sneed and Cherokee Royalty, and including Little Miss, Junior Miss, and Teen Miss Cherokee, “Cherokee Traditions” is an opportunity for the EBCI to both teach and immerse Braves fans in the rich EBCI culture.

Cherokee Braves vs. Stilwell Indians High School Baseball Game

The Atlanta Braves were honored to participate in the historic first meeting between the high school baseball teams of the Cherokee (NC) Braves and Stilwell (OK) Indians.

Ball Player T-shirt

The Atlanta Braves partnered with the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians to produce a Syllabary t-shirt to help bring awareness to their native language. Featuring traditional basket weave designs, the net proceeds go to the Kituwah Academy Immersion Program, which teaches and guides youth to embrace the near-extinct Cherokee language and the traditions of the culture.

Meaning:

ᎠᏁᏦᎥᏍᎩ
Anetsovsgi
Pronounced A-ah, NE-nay, TSO (pronounced ‘zo’ (with the t and s blur together); V-uh, SGI(pronounced ski, with the S having a ‘sh’ sound)
Means: Ball Player

In March 2021, the Atlanta Braves presented the proceeds from the ‘Ball Player’ t-shirts sales to the Cherokee Indians Speakers Council and to the New Kituwah Academy. The Atlanta Braves Foundation matched the donation to help fund a new CALL (Cherokee Adult Language Learners) staff member.

Native American Day

Partnering with Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns and Governor Brian Kemp, an official “Native American Day” on November 30 was established in 2020. This has provided an opportunity for Georgians across the state to learn about Native American history and its impact on the State of Georgia.

Native American Heritage Month

In November 2021, for the first time a sitting Georgia Governor invited and met with representatives from each of the state-recognized tribes shortly before officially declaring November “Native American Heritage Month” in Georgia.