NLL Las Vegas Desert Dogs

Desert Dogs to Honor Native American Community Saturday for Inaugural Indigenous Heritage Night

Published on February 2, 2023 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Las Vegas Desert Dogs News Release


LAS VEGAS, NV - The Las Vegas Desert Dogs will host its inaugural "Indigenous Heritage Night" on Saturday, February 4 when the team welcomes the defending National Lacrosse League champion Colorado Mammoth at Michelob ULTRA Arena at 7:30 p.m.

The event will include recognitions and performances from groups presented in consultation with Native American tribes of Nevada. In addition, complimentary tickets and transportation to the game will be provided to Indigenous and Native communities, in coordination with the Strong Roots Charitable Foundation and Indigenous community organizations throughout all of Nevada.

"We made it a priority to connect and learn more about the 28 federally recognized tribes throughout Nevada," said Las Vegas Desert Dogs CEO, Mark Fine. "It's truly been an enlightening experience. We've met tremendous community leaders who have been supportive and interested in raising awareness of The Creator's Game, helping our organization to connect to young athletes who are picking up lacrosse sticks for the first time."

Desert Dogs players will be wearing orange shooting shirts during pregame warmups and helmet decals in unison with the National Lacrosse League's "Every Child Matters" campaign. It is a league-wide initiative that brings awareness to the forcible placement of Indigenous children in residential and boarding schools by the Canadian and United States governments from the 19th century to as late as 1996 in Canada.

The "Every Child Matters" initiative is a part of the league's ever-growing participation and awareness programs tied to Indigenous culture, which is at the core of the league's values and the history of the sport of lacrosse. The work includes educational programs for athletes, coaches, staff and fans, land acknowledgment ceremonies, and charitable and social responsibility programs to strengthen and enhance the ties between league stakeholders and the Indigenous community.

The Desert Dogs kicked off Native American community outreach in early December when hosting an open clinic at Las Vegas Sportspark, the team's practice facility. Tribes from Nevada, northwest Arizona, along with participants in the Clark County School District Indian Education Opportunity Program were able to get up close and personal with coach Shawn Williams, along with a group of Las Vegas players. The relationship continued when members of the Indigenous and Native communities were offered comped tickets to the club's inaugural home game on December 16.

Complimentary tickets for all members of the Indigenous community throughout Las Vegas and the state of Nevada are still available to claim. Tickets can be claimed by calling 702-799-0303 (OPT 5) or by emailing Jennifer Lanahan with Strategies 360 at jenniferl@strategies360.com.

Fans can also purchase tickets online at LasVegasDesertDogs.com or AXS.com and at the Michelob ULTRA Arena box office on gameday beginning at 12pm.

Check out the Las Vegas Desert Dogs Statistics

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