CHENEY, WA – Eastern Washington University (EWU) Athletics, in partnership with the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Northern Quest Resort & Casino, unveiled a custom helmet decal that the football team will wear for their Native American Heritage Month kickoff game versus Montana State on Saturday, Nov. 2 with a 1:00pm kickoff at Roos Field. The decal utilizes the Salish phrase of “uł pql̓qeyn” (pronounced oo-th p-kill-cane), which translates to a “group of eagles.”
“Eastern Washington University would like to acknowledge we are on the traditional lands of the first people, past and present, of this region, including the Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, Kalispel, Nez Perce, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation, and the Yakama Nation,” the university wrote in a land acknowledgement statement. “We honor them as the traditional caretakers of the land and respect the enduring relationship that exists between all Indigenous people and their traditional territories and homelands.”
In addition to helmet decals, EWU Athletics will celebrate Native American Heritage Month with the Eastern Washington University American Indian Studies Program and the Native American Student Association (NASA) as a part of the Nov. 2 game night.
“We are fortunate to live in an area with such incredible ties to Native American land, heritage and culture,” said Tim Collins, EWU Director of Athletics. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to work with partners like the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Northern Quest Resort & Casino. EWU Athletics thanks them for their support, and we look forward to partnering with them to create additional outreach opportunities within our region’s tribal communities in the future.”
The first 1,000 fans through gates will receive a game day rooter card courtesy of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Northern Quest Resort & Casino, which showcases the helmet artwork and pays tribute to the history and generosity of the tribe in the community.
“As long-time supporters and partners of EWU Athletics, we are thrilled to celebrate the kick-off of Native American Heritage Month with this collaborative effort that pays tribute to our Salish language,” said Nick Pierre, Northern Quest General Manager and Kalispel Tribal Council Member. “We are proud of our partnership with the Eags and are grateful for this opportunity to share some of our Kalispel cultural traditions with Eagles fans on game day.”
Prior to kickoff, there will be a land acknowledgement presentation by Sebastian Whiz-Smartlowit who is an EWU student from the American Indian Student Association and a tribal member of the Yakama Nation majoring in political science and sociology. The Salish national anthem will be sung by Oakley Bluff (salish name: Mla (“muh-la”), meaning “raven”). Oakley is an 11-year-old Kalispel descendant and sixth-grade student at Cusick Junior/Senior High School.
The half-time performance will feature a traditional tribal Jingle Dance performed by Miss Qlispé, Feather Auld, of the Kalispel Tribe.
In addition, the Kalispel Tribe and Northern Quest will be hosting the Cusick Junior High and High School football players for a pre-game tailgate as they experience the true game day college experience by watching the game as a team. The visit is inspired by the university partnership strategy of creating immersive experiences for tribal youth within college campus environments. The Cusick student athletes will be sporting custom beanies with the Salish word for Eagles embroidered on the front.