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Did you know?
Mohegan Sun Arena
Did you know that the WNBA team, the Connecticut Sun, is owned and operated by the Mohegan Tribe?
The Mohegan Tribe is the first Indigenous tribe in the United States to own a professional sports team. The team plays their games in the Mohegan Sun Arena!
Note: There are 574 federally recognized Indian Nations (called tribes, nations, bands, pueblos, communities, and native villages) in the United States.
There are approximately 229 nations located in Alaska. Each nation has its own culture, language, and ethnic diversity. The remaining federally recognized tribes are located in 35 other states. There are also state recognized tribes located across the United States. These numbers may change over time.
Sources:
Eaton-Robb, P. (2021, April 8). WNBA's Connecticut Sun Honour Indigenous owners with imagery on Jerseys | CBC Sports. CBCnews.https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/wnba-connecticut-sun-jerseys-1.5980495
Tribal Nations & the United States: An Introduction. NCAI. (n.d.). https://www.ncai.org/about-tribes
What is inclusion?
The Mohegan Tribe’s ownership of the Connecticut Sun allows them to share their perspectives, stories, and ideas with the WNBA. Listening to one another creates a feeling of inclusion.
So, what exactly is inclusion?
One part of inclusion is accepting, respecting, and including people of all different backgrounds.
When we work together, learn from each other, and support one another, we can create a culture of inclusion and respect.
Are you ready to learn about different ways to include others? Let’s begin!
Brainstorm
Brainstorm different examples of inclusive actions. If possible, share your thoughts with a partner.
Complete the Inclusive Actions Activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Inclusive Actions Activity.
Activity
(Open PDF in a new window)
Gametime
Inclusion
Inclusion begins with inclusive behaviours.
Some examples might be:
- having conversations to learn more about one another
- accepting someone for who they are
- showing respect to someone else’s culture, traditions, thoughts, and opinions
- supporting one another
Take a moment and think about what you’ve learned so far!
Inclusion in the WNBA
In April 2021, Nike and the WNBA released the Nike WNBA uniform collection.
An important part of this process was the way that Nike consulted and worked together with the Mohegan Tribal Council, Council of Elders, Chief, and Medicine Woman. This collaboration is an example of how inclusion is important.
Source:
NBA Media Ventures. (2021, April 8). Connecticut Sun Uniform Unveil. Connecticut Sun WNBA. https://sun.wnba.com/news/connecticut-sun-uniform-unveil/
Did you know?
The Delaware Tribe included the Wolf clan (Mohegans) who settled in upstate New York. After migrating to Connecticut, they are known today as the Mohegan Tribe.
Source:
The Mohegan Tribe | Native American Tribe | Southeastern CT. (n.d.). mohegan.nsn.us. https://www.mohegan.nsn.us/
Inclusive uniforms
Explore the following images and descriptions to learn more inclusive uniform designs.
What do you notice about each uniform design?
Sources:
Connecticut Sun. (2021, April 8). This is H.E.R. story. Beth Regan of the Mohegan Tribal Council of Elders take us through the tradition and symbolism woven into these threads [Video]. Twitter. https://bit.ly/3vU7vOf
Eaton-Robb, P. (2021, April 8). WNBA's Connecticut Sun Honour Indigenous owners with imagery on Jerseys | CBC Sports. CBCnews.https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/wnba-connecticut-sun-jerseys-1.5980495
After exploring the various uniforms, consider the following:
- What do you notice about the uniforms and their descriptions?
- What is similar and different about the different uniform designs?
- How do the designs share the Mohegan Tribe’s culture and traditions?
Record your thoughts using a method of your choice.
Note: Please refrain from researching more about the cultural roles, practices, and ceremonies shared to respect what the Mohegan Tribe has shared with its audience.
Fun fact
Basketball uniform from the early 1900s
In the early 1900s, the first basketball clothing was developed so that the whole team wore the same uniform. At that time, the uniform was made of a wool shirt and tight shorts that ended at the knee.
Wool can become quite heavy and hot after playing a game. In the 1930s, the material for basketball uniforms changed because synthetic fabrics, such as nylon and polyester, were developed. Basketball uniforms were redesigned using nylon-polyester blend fabric. This is the light, stretchy, and durable fabric that we still use to today!
Source:
Kondo, B. (2020, October 8). A Comprehensive History of Basketball Uniforms. This Is Basketball. https://thisisbasketball.world/a-comprehensive-history-of-basketball-uniforms/?v=3e8d115eb4b3
Pause and reflect
“The jerseys are important because there has been so much cultural appropriation and also just a lack of understanding of truly what it means to be native in this country,” she said. “We own this narrative. This is our narrative and we are the only ones that can tell it.”
– Chief Many Hearts Lynn Malerba
Source:
Eaton-Robb, P. (2021, April 8). (2021, August 23). WNBA's Connecticut Sun Honour Indigenous owners with imagery on Jerseys | CBC Sports. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/wnba-connecticut-sun-jerseys-1.5980495
What do you think Chief Many Hearts Lynn Malerba means by “cultural appropriation”?
Press Hint to learn more about cultural appropriation.
Cultural appropriation is not the same idea as cultural appreciation.
Appropriation is the act of taking something from someone else for one’s own use, often without the owner’s permission. Cultural appropriation happens when someone from one culture adopts elements of another culture without permission.
Cultural appreciation on the other hand occurs when a person wants to learn more about a culture outside of their own and seeks to support members of that culture in a respectable way, like asking for permission and consulting with members of a community to create something together.
In sports, as well as in life, it is important that all people learn about diverse cultures so that they can treat everyone in a respectful and kind way.
Profile
DeWanna Bonner
DeWanna Bonner, #24 of the Connecticut Sun (2023) jumps and shoots the ball during a game against the Minnesota Lynx on August 14, 2022. Lindsay Allen, #2 of the Minnesota Lynx (2023), crouches offside Bonner, while Bridget Carleton, #6 of the Minnesota Lynx (2023), defends against Bonner.
DeWanna Bonner is an American basketball player, who played for the Connecticut Sun during the 2022-2023 season. Bonner is a four-time WNBA All-Star and was named the 2018 Associated Press WNBA Comeback Player of the Year. She works hard on the court to keep building her skills and support her teammates. Off the court, she has completed a degree in psychology, and more recently, a master's in education.
“I actually want to coach but I want to coach basketball for young children. I feel like that’s the part we’re missing—especially for girls.”
– DeWanna Bonner
Sources:
NBA Media Ventures. (2022, September 22). Dewanna Bonner stats, news, bio & games. WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA. https://www.wnba.com/player/dewanna-bonner/#/bio
The Impressive Evolution of DeWanna Bonner - Phoenix Mercury. (2015, June 9). Phoenix Mercury. https://mercury.wnba.com/news/the-impressive-evolution-of-dewanna-bonner/
Warren, B. (2022, April 4). How DeWanna Bonner Balances Motherhood and Her WNBA Career | SLAM. SLAM. https://www.slamonline.com/wslam/dewanna-bonner-women-history-month/
Fourth Quarter
Inclusive actions
As we have learned, inclusive actions are important in creating healthy, strong relationships between people and communities.
Which of the following actions and statements are inclusive and which are non-inclusive?
Pause and reflect
In her statement commenting on the Connecticut Sun uniforms, Chief Many Hearts Lynn Malerba said, “This is our narrative, and we are the only ones that can tell it.”
Source:
Eaton-Robb, P. (2021, April 8). WNBA's Connecticut Sun Honour Indigenous owners with imagery on Jerseys | CBC Sports. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/wnba-connecticut-sun-jerseys-1.5980495
Reflect on the following:
- Why do you think it is important for people to have the opportunity to share their own narrative?
- How might the design of the Connecticut Sun uniforms help to share the Mohegan Tribe’s narrative?
- What would you want others to know about your own story or narrative?
Record your thoughts using a method of your choice.
Great job! Think about how you might include others using the skills you’ve learned. Catch you next time!
