SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The University of South Dakota Football team will have new custom helmets to wear during the Native Heritage Day football game.
Designed by Sadie Red Wing in collaboration with USD’s Native Student Services, the new helmets will feature the word “sungmanitu,” which is ‘coyote’ in Lakota. The helmets will also feature a design on the top that represents the Oceti Sakowin, known as the Seven Council Fires.
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USD Native Student Services consulted with Oglala Lakota member Jerome Kills Small who explained the cultural context behind translating the word in the Lakota language and the story behind the word.
“Sungmanitu gives a similar power to that of Coyote, which means ‘Wilderness Dog.’ You can be wild in the field. Be strong, run fast, and be a trickster. Zig-zag and jump over the tackler. Whatever it takes [to win]. That’s what I envision,” said Kills Small.
Director of Native Recruitment and Alumni Engagement John Little, talked about the importance of having Native Representation at the game.
“USD has had more than 1,500 Native students graduate from its campus and has a rich legacy of Native programming, initiatives, and history on campus,” Little said. “Being able to use Lakota language on the helmets as well as feature the tribal nation’s flags continues that legacy.”
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Kainen White, a USD defensive tackle and Cherokee member, said he’s excited to wear the helmet and emphasized the fact that he’s wearing the Cherokee Nation Flag on his helmet.
“It’s very important to have those types of features on top of the helmet. The flags represent where you come from, who you are, and what culture and background you come from,” White said. “Just wearing it shows that we represent something and the way in which we are representing for people to understand is great.”
USD will play the North Dakota Fighting Hawks on Saturday, November 1, in the DakotaDome. The game will kick off with the Lakota Flag Song sung by Maȟpíya Lúta Middle School. Native alumni, students, and staff will be recognized during the game.
