Celtics star Kyrie Irving to be honored by Sioux tribe in ceremony
Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving will be honored by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe with a ceremony on Thursday in North Dakota — a nod to Irving's heritage.
Irving's late mother, Elizabeth Ann Larson, was adopted out of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's White Mountain family when she was young, and his grandmother, great-grandmother and great-grandfather were also members of the tribe, according to a news release from the tribe.
"We could not be more excited, he has made us all very proud," tribe chairman Mike Faith said in a statement. "To know that he has not forgotten his roots and is taking the time before he starts his basketball season to visit the people, his people, shows that Kyrie has great character and pride in his heritage."
Irving, who underwent season-ending knee surgery in April, has a tattoo of the tribe's logo on his neck and honored both his mother and the tribe with the recent release of his signature shoe, the Nike N7, which features the tribe's seal on the heel and insole.
According to Nike, Irving approached the company and asked for the seal to be incorporated into the shoe to pay tribute to his mother and to reflect his pride in the Standing Rock Sioux community.
Thursday's celebration will include a naming ceremony, performances and a community feed, according to the tribe.