The November 22 Minnesota Vikings versus the Green Bay Packers game at TCF Stadium was an extra-special event. It was the NFL’s inaugural observance of Native American Heritage Month. Twenty-three tribes from Minnesota and Wisconsin were represented in a special pre-game flag ceremony, as well as an impressive halftime demonstration of dancing and drum song.
When the Minnesota Vikings face the Green Bay Packers, there is always some excitement in the air. However, at their latest face off at TCF Stadium in Minneapolis on November 22, there was something extra special— the event was the NFL’s inaugural observance of Native American Heritage Month. Present at magnificent pre-game flag ceremony, representing the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa was Butch Deschampe.
Powwow emcee and drum singer Jerry Dearly welcomed everyone to the stadium and said he was honored to be part of this historic celebration. In his powerful voice, he called out the tribal names and the name of the representatives bearing the tribal flag. The ceremony included men and women from all 23 tribes located in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Dearly noted that each tribe has its own unique government, culture, language and way of life.
Butch Deschampe, wearing his Vietnam veteran jacket and cap, proudly marched out onto the field bearing the Grand Portage flag. As the flags waved in the wind, Dearly called for a round of applause for the 23 Native Nations and there was a roar of cheers and applause from the crowd.
In the historic Native American Heritage Month event at TCF Stadium, Butch Deschampe (center, in black jacket and Vietnam veteran cap) was the flag bearer for the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
The flag ceremony was followed by the presentation of the Colors— the U.S. flag and military flags— by the Lakota Women Warriors. Singing the national anthem was Peggy Flanagan, a citizen of the White Earth Nation of Ojibwe and the second Native American female elected to the Minnesota Legislature. As Flanagan reached the end of the national anthem, a pair of fighter jets streaked across the sky in a salute.
The celebration continued into halftime when the Redbone Singers and Dancers sang and danced as Dearly explained the many different style of dance and dress, such as men’s traditional; women’s traditional, grass dancers; jingle dress dancers; women’s fancy shawl; and men’s fancy bustle/feather dancer.
As the halftime show drums faded, Dearly thanked the flag bearers, the dancers and the Minnesota Vikings for celebrating Native American Heritage Month “in such a grand and historic way.”
The Minnesota Vikings issued a statement after the event, sharing that sentiment and saying, “The Vikings were pleased to celebrate vibrant and honorable Native American culture during Sunday’s game in observance of November’s designation as Native American Heritage Month.”
One of the organizers of the event, Jessica Ryan of the law firm of BlueDog, Paulson & Small, commended the Tribal governments who worked to make the celebration possible. In a notice to Tribes after the event, Ryan wrote, “Standing center field, watching each of the flag bearers step forward and present a unified, visual image of our independent sovereignty, yet simultaneously demonstrating our collective and unified harmony as tribes was a humbling and powerful moment.”
Butch Deschampe said it was a great experience. “At the end of the national anthem, two jets boomed overhead. That surprised us!”
Deschampe said it was an interesting experience to be at a Vikings game. The flag bearers were seated at the end of the field near the goal post. Although the Vikings lost to rival Green Bay, Deschampe did get to see Viking Adrian Peterson score a touchdown right in from of him. “That was really neat to see,” he said.
The entire experience was wonderful, he said, despite the cold—he was glad he wore an insulated jacket under his Vietnam veteran jacket— and the difficulty parking, he would love to do it again. He was happy to represent Grand Portage by carrying the flag. “It was a great honor,” said Deschampe.
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