TIMBER LAKE, S.D. — The flag of a South Dakota Native American Tribe is now affixed on the helmet of a National Football League (NFL) player.
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers tight end, made the announcement on his social media saying “The NFL made it official. Honored to represent!,” with a photo of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe flag on his helmet.
Kraft is a native of Timber Lake. The town is located on the northern edge of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) is located in north central South Dakota.
The month of September will be one to remember for Green Bay Packers Tucker Kraft.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound tight end from, is out to a significantly better start in his second NFL season than his first. Kraft’s hauled in 12 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown. His lone score came in Green Bay’s 31-29 loss to Minnesota.
And his professional and personal live converged when the NFL gave permission for him to display the flag of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe on his helmet, next to the American Flag.
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After growing up around the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation for most of his life, Kraft was inducted into the tribe as an honorary member on April 3, 2024. He earned honorary membership in the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe for acts of service to his community, according to CRST Chairman Ryman LeBeau.
“This aligns with our culture and who we are as a people,” LeBeau said. “When we want to honor someone, we make them our relative.”
LeBeau continued, “It’s an honor for one of our relatives to represent our Tribe on a national level. We realize that this is likely the first time a tribal flag is worn in an NFL game. We are proud of Tucker and all his achievements,” LeBeau said in an email to KELOLAND News. “It gives hope for our youth that professional or national levels are achievable whether you’re from a reservation or not. It brings much pride and honor to all the people whether you are a Packers fan or not, he is representative of our community and is an inspiration for all.”
According to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe’s website. The CRST tribal flag includes four Lakota bands of the Minnicoujou, Itazipco, Siha Sapa, and Oohenumpa.
“The blue represents the thunder clouds above the world where live the thunderbirds who control the four winds. The rainbow is for the Cheyenne River Sioux people who are keepers of the most Sacred Calf Pipe, a gift from the White Buffalo Calf Maiden. The eagle feathers at the edges at the rim of the world represent the spotted eagle who is the protector of all Lakota. The two pipes fused together are for unity. One pipe is for the Lakota, the other for all the other Indian Nations. The Yellow hoops represent the Sacred Hoop, which shall not be broken. The Sacred Calf Pipe bundle in red represents Wakan Tanka – The Great Mystery. All the colors of the Lakota are visible. The red, yellow, black, and white represent the four major races. The blue is for heaven and the green for Mother Earth,” according to the CRST website.
