Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
The Atlanta Braves and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians established their long-lasting partnership in 2000. As part of that relationship, the Atlanta Braves have partnered with the EBCIās Atlanta Braves Cultural Committee on programs and events designed to educate and showcase their culture to our fans, as well as provide support to key EBCI initiatives.
EBCI Night at Truist Park
Each season, the Atlanta Braves are proud to host their annual Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Night at Truist Park. EBCI Night honors and recognizes the impact Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have had across the Southeast. The night serves as an acknowledgement and education to Braves fans on the original home of the Cherokee ā Qualla Boundary, which spanned 140,000 square miles covering portions of eight states: Georgia, Alabama, South and North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky.
Pregame exhibitions and traditions on EBCI Night include:
- Raven Rock Dancers Performance
- Special on-field presentation featuring Tribal Royalty
- EBCI representatives throw out the ceremonial first pitch and signal the start of the game with the honorary "Play Ball" declaration
This years EBCI Night will be held on July 20, 2024. More details coming soon!
Cherokee Indian Fair in Cherokee, NC
The Atlanta Braves are honored to receive an invitation to participate in the annual Cherokee Indian Fair. As part of the visit, the Braves participated in the annual parade to kick-off the festival, as well as had a display on the fairgrounds for fair attendees to play games, receive Braves promotional items, and take pictures with Truist Park as their backdrop.
Cherokee Traditions at Truist Park
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the Atlanta Braves hosted "Cherokee Traditions at Truist Park.ā Featuring Principal Chief Richard G. Sneed and Cherokee Royalty, and including Little Miss, Junior Miss, and Teen Miss Cherokee, āCherokee Traditionsā is an opportunity for the EBCI to both teach and immerse Braves fans in the rich EBCI culture.
Cherokee Braves vs. Stilwell Indians High School Baseball Game
The Atlanta Braves were honored to participate in the historic first meeting between the high school baseball teams of the Cherokee (NC) Braves and Stilwell (OK) Indians.
"We Are Still Here" Exhibit at Truist Park
To honor and recognize the impact Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have had across the Southeast, the Braves have installed an exhibit at Monument Garden entitled, "We Are Still Here."
The exhibit's content serves as an acknowledgement and education to Braves fans on the original home of the Cherokee ā Qualla Boundary, which spanned 140,000 square miles covering portions of eight states: Georgia, Alabama, South and North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky.
In addition to the exhibit, fans will be able to view a framed Braves jersey that was presented to the EBCI Principal Chief Richard Sneed on Opening Day 2020 by Hank Aaron.
To view the exhibit, please visit Monument Garden in Truist Park.
Ball Player T-shirt
The Atlanta Braves partnered with the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians to produce a Syllabary t-shirt to help bring awareness to their native language. Featuring traditional basket weave designs, the net proceeds go to the Kituwah Academy Immersion Program, which teaches and guides youth to embrace the near-extinct Cherokee language and the traditions of the culture.
Meaning:
- į įį¦į„įį©
- Anetsovsgi
- Pronounced A-ah, NE-nay, TSO (pronounced āzoā (with the t and s blur together); V-uh, SGI(pronounced ski, with the S having a āshā sound)
- Means: Ball Player
In March 2021, the Atlanta Braves presented the proceeds from the āBall Playerā t-shirts sales to the Cherokee Indians Speakers Council and to the New Kituwah Academy. The Atlanta Braves Foundation matched the donation to help fund a new CALL (Cherokee Adult Language Learners) staff member.