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If you find yourself in the crowd at an Oklahoma City Thunder game, a couple wearing Indigenous regalia in the team's colors may catch your eye.
Cherea Golden-Butler and Ray Butler are proud to be Thunder fans, and they're just as proud of their Indigenous heritage.
The Butlers blend elements of their tribal heritage — Golden-Butler is Pawnee, Cheyenne and Otoe, and Butler is Choctaw — with their love of the team they've supported since day one.
"Really, even more than being a super fan, it is mixing it with my cultural identity," Golden-Butler said. "Be proud of who you are and show your colors. Represent."
More: What channel is Thunder vs Spurs on TV tonight? Game 3 time, NBA schedule, injury report
Their outfits grow more elaborate during playoffs, reaching the pinnacle of flair for the finals.
"I just enjoy spending time with the people in the arena. Also representing my culture at the same time and just letting the culture know that there's more that we do besides just some of the things they show us doing negatively," Butler, who is also a disabled veteran, said. "We also have a positive side of things that we do and just trying to get out and enjoy life."
Golden-Butler is frequently referred to by the endearing nickname "Auntie," a term of respect and love for older women in Native communities, among others. And when it comes to her team, it amplifies, and she's the "Deadly Thunder Auntie."
"The auntie is, it's more of an adornment. They're very important to the native community," Golden-Butler said. "To be a deadly auntie. Oh, she's showing up and she's showing out. Just another word for being awesome. Great. Keen."
As for Butler, he's "Auntie's favorite snag," another native cultural term, sometimes used to describe a romantic partner. The pair, parents to a 5-year-old daughter, have been together for 25 years, and also have what Golden-Butler called "like 100 nieces."
Among those nieces is 13-year-old Lucy, who plays a quintessential role, alongside many other family members, in helping bring the Butler's game day fashions to life.
"It is a valiant effort when it comes to our regalia. It is a sign of status. We pull together," Golden-Butler said. "My 13-year-old niece, she does all the beadwork for us. My mom did my hair, it was almost like getting ready for grand entry."
Golden-Butler said she loves getting to play a role in raising future generations.
"I'm constantly mentoring, supporting and remaining an inspiration to the children, showing them this is what happens when we wear our culture with pride on any given day instead of shrinking for everybody else," Golden-Butler said.
And just when you think you've seen all the Butlers have up their sleeves for gameday looks, think again. The couple ensures there's always more to come the further into the playoffs that the Thunder advance.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC superfans mix love of Thunder, Indigenous pride in gameday fashion
Continue reading...
Cherea Golden-Butler and Ray Butler are proud to be Thunder fans, and they're just as proud of their Indigenous heritage.
The Butlers blend elements of their tribal heritage — Golden-Butler is Pawnee, Cheyenne and Otoe, and Butler is Choctaw — with their love of the team they've supported since day one.
"Really, even more than being a super fan, it is mixing it with my cultural identity," Golden-Butler said. "Be proud of who you are and show your colors. Represent."
More: What channel is Thunder vs Spurs on TV tonight? Game 3 time, NBA schedule, injury report
Their outfits grow more elaborate during playoffs, reaching the pinnacle of flair for the finals.
"I just enjoy spending time with the people in the arena. Also representing my culture at the same time and just letting the culture know that there's more that we do besides just some of the things they show us doing negatively," Butler, who is also a disabled veteran, said. "We also have a positive side of things that we do and just trying to get out and enjoy life."
Golden-Butler is frequently referred to by the endearing nickname "Auntie," a term of respect and love for older women in Native communities, among others. And when it comes to her team, it amplifies, and she's the "Deadly Thunder Auntie."
"The auntie is, it's more of an adornment. They're very important to the native community," Golden-Butler said. "To be a deadly auntie. Oh, she's showing up and she's showing out. Just another word for being awesome. Great. Keen."
As for Butler, he's "Auntie's favorite snag," another native cultural term, sometimes used to describe a romantic partner. The pair, parents to a 5-year-old daughter, have been together for 25 years, and also have what Golden-Butler called "like 100 nieces."
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Among those nieces is 13-year-old Lucy, who plays a quintessential role, alongside many other family members, in helping bring the Butler's game day fashions to life.
"It is a valiant effort when it comes to our regalia. It is a sign of status. We pull together," Golden-Butler said. "My 13-year-old niece, she does all the beadwork for us. My mom did my hair, it was almost like getting ready for grand entry."
Golden-Butler said she loves getting to play a role in raising future generations.
"I'm constantly mentoring, supporting and remaining an inspiration to the children, showing them this is what happens when we wear our culture with pride on any given day instead of shrinking for everybody else," Golden-Butler said.
And just when you think you've seen all the Butlers have up their sleeves for gameday looks, think again. The couple ensures there's always more to come the further into the playoffs that the Thunder advance.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC superfans mix love of Thunder, Indigenous pride in gameday fashion
Continue reading...
