By Mallory Allen
GREEN BAY (WLUK) — The Oneida Nation and UW-Green Bay are harnessing the power of athletics to strengthen their longstanding partnership.
On Friday, officials announced a pair of collaborative efforts to mark Native American Heritage Month, which is November. Both initiatives involve the UWGB men’s basketball team and aim to recognize the Nation’s contributions in Northeast Wisconsin.
During their Nov. 3 game at the Kansas Jayhawks, the Phoenix will wear a new jersey created by 21-year-old Jossalyn Metoxen, an Oneida Nation citizen and UW-Green Bay student. Every piece of the design, from the colors to the words to the artistic elements, are purposeful.
UWGB will also host a men’s basketball exchange game with Haskell Indian Nations University, a college out of Kansas whose mission is to serve Indigenous students from across the United States. That game is scheduled for Nov. 29 at the Kress Events Center. During this game, UWGB and the Oneida Nation will provide an in-depth look at the meaning behind the new jersey design.
“We are honored to celebrate our enduring relationship with Oneida Nation in this way,” said UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander in a news release. “This partnership is rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to honoring Indigenous ways. Celebrating Native American Heritage Month together is more than symbolic — it’s a commitment to student success, cultural understanding and community connection. We are proud to walk alongside the Oneida Nation in building educational opportunities that uplift our region and empower future generations.”
Oneida Nation Chairman Tehassi Tasi Hill added, “The Nation’s relationship with UWGB has been one of mutual respect. The University has consistently taken measures to ensure Indigenous culture and programming are taken seriously and incorporated into academic programming, offering an EdD in First Nations Education since 2018. In the 2024 academic year, Oneida supported 922 students pursuing higher education endeavors and over eighty of those students attended the University in varying programs. The Nation contributes a direct economic output in education of about $32m; having strong relationships with educational institutions such as UWGB benefits Oneida citizens as individuals, the Nation and NE Wisconsin overall.”
Source: UWGB men’s basketball team to debut new jersey in honor of Native American Heritage Month