PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury held their third annual Originativ Night on Wednesday, honoring and showcasing the cultures of Arizona’s 22 Native American tribes.
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Phoenix Mercury’s giveaway bracelet honoring the Gila River Community, with “Phoenix” written in their native language. Credits: Phoenix Mercury
The night aimed to celebrate, educate and create visibility for all the tribal nations through basketball. Fans were given bracelets as a “symbol of the synergy” between Phoenix, the Mercury, and the Gila River community.
The bracelet includes the city’s name in English, as well as the native language of the Gila River community.
Native dancers during the Phoenix Mercury vs the Atlanta Dream’s halftime. Credits: Phoenix Mercury
Before Wednesday’s game, the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury Foundation held Originativ basketball clinics for youth players from all tribal nations in the state.
“The clinics include both on-court basketball skills stations and off-court rescue stations,” Phoenix posted to its X (formerly Twitter) account. “In collaboration with host tribes and the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona.”
Members of the Southwest Indigenous Women’s Coalition receive a donation from the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation. Credits: Phoenix Mercury
Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said it was great to get different parts of the state involved with basketball, especially the youth.
“I think the Mercury and the Suns do a really good job of getting out into the community,” said Tibbetts. “And it’s extremely important. We saw with the camp games. These clinics and camps that we’re going out and doing are extremely important.”
“The shirt definitely was a way to reflect on the local environment, but more importantly, the local culture of the Salt River and Gila River communities.”
This Artist Series episode features Breeze, a full-time professional artist here in Phoenix. In celebration of Originativ… pic.twitter.com/mg697uLc6I
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 23, 2025
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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