The Black race can be found in every nook and cranny of this earth and Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving was honored and welcomed home Thursday by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe with a naming ceremony.
Irving was given the Lakota name “Little Mountain”. His sister, Asia Irving, also took part in the traditional observance led by tribe elder Vernon Iron Horse.
Tim Bontemps on Twitter
The naming ceremony is complete. Kyrie Irving was given the name “Little Mountain.” His sister, Asia, was given the name, “Buffalo Woman.” https://t.co/JNgwPpi3O1
Irving’s mother, Elizabeth Larson, was a member of the tribe before getting adopted out during her youth. She died when Irving was four, but he has embraced her background and he released a signature Nike shoe featuring the tribe’s logo, got a tattoo with the tribe’s logo on his neck and also supported the tribe’s effort to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Via cbssports.com, Over the past few years, Kyrie Irving has begun embracing his lineage to the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. The Boston Celtics point guard has campaigned in support of the tribe… made significant financial donations.”
AP Central U.S. on Twitter
Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving and his sister are officially welcomed into their mother’s Standing Rock Sioux tribe in a ceremony on the tribe’s reservation in the Dakotas. https://t.co/r8nLcUsI4q
Irving referenced the Standing Rock Sioux, which is based on a reservation in North Dakota and South Dakota, in an Instagram post about his season-ending knee injury in April.
“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,” Standing Rock chairman Mike Faith said,.
LAKOTA Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, my family. I’m eternally grateful. @asialove
293.6k Likes, 1,530 Comments – Kyrie Irving (@kyrieirving) on Instagram: “LAKOTA Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, my family. I’m eternally grateful. @asialove”
Grief and perspective are often sought when losing a parent. Hopefully, the Irvings found peace in reconnecting with her side in such an important capacity.
But on the basketball side, maybe we should start calling Kyrie by his Sioux name, “Little Mountain” Irving. Just a thought.
