Oneida Nation takes part in NFL Draft week
Kolby KickingWoman ICT
Amidst the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League playoffs and the first month of Major League Baseball, one of the biggest days on the National Football League calendar has arrived: Day One of the NFL Draft.
Since 2015, the league has taken the three-day event on the road, after traditionally being held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
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A popular event among fans, more than 700,000 people attended over the three days in Detroit, Michigan, last year alone. The previous attendance record was in Nashville, Tenn., where 600,000 fans flocked to the Music City's downtown scene in 2019.
This year, Green Bay and the historic Lambeau Field are playing host to the festivities.
Just west of the Green Bay metropolitan area lies the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin Reservation. In kicking off NFL Draft week, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers took part in a tree planting event with tribal citizens in Oneida and the tribe has partnered with the team and city for other events over the course of the week.
The tribe has long had a relationship with the Green Bay Packers, with the tribe having signage at Lambeau Field, including the 'Oneida Nation Gate' entrance to the Lambeau Field Atrium.
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On April 24, through the NFL's social justice initiative Inspire Change, a $150,000 grant was awarded to Oneida schools to address the digital divide needs of children of the Oneida Nation.
Additionally, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love announced in a video shared on social media that the Oneida Nation Lady Thunderhawks, the nation's flag football team, will receive passes to the draft and the team will announce an official pick on stage during Day Three of the draft.
'Hosting the draft is a huge moment for Green Bay and you guys are a part of this future' Love says in the video. 'Your leadership and sportsmanship make a huge difference for your team and in the community. So congrats and have a blast at Lambeau.'
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Last season, Packers tight end Tucker Kraft showed support for another tribal nation while he played. Kraft, an honorary citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, sports a sticker of the tribal flag on the back of his helmet.
During weeks 13 and 14 of the season last year, Kraft also wore specialized custom cleats to bring awareness to the Cheyenne River Youth Project. 'My Cause My Cleats' is an NFL initiative that gives players the opportunity to use their platform to highlight causes important to them.
Day One of the NFL Draft, which is for the first round only, starts at 8 p.m. ET on April 24 on ABC and ESPN.
Day Two, which includes rounds two and three, begins at 7 p.m. ET April 25.
The final day starts at 12 p.m. ET Saturday, April 26.
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