SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC and its charitable partner, **RAVE Foundation**, today announced the club’s plan to celebrate Native American Heritage Month – which is celebrated throughout November each year – in recognition of the contributions and influence of our nation’s first people to United States history and culture. The club’s activities this month serve to continue the Rave Green’s commitment to Fight Racism, one of the pillars of Sounders FC’s Social Justice Framework.
As part of Native American Heritage Month celebration, the Rave Green are partnering with the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture for the third consecutive year to shine a light on the history, artistry and cultures of modern-day tribes. Located on the University of Washington campus, the Burke Museum is the Washington State museum responsible for maintaining collections of natural history and cultural heritage. Through relationship-building, consultation and collaboration with tribes, the museum strives to share exhibits that are accurate in their interpretation and storytelling, bringing to the forefront Native expertise and knowledge, as well as appropriately preserving and providing access to Indigenous artifacts.
To provide the opportunity for all to access the Burke Museum to learn about the region’s Native American heritage as well as the dynamic cultures of the Pacific Northwest and around the world, the Rave Green and the Burke Museum are hosting **Sounders FC Day** on Sunday, November 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT, with free admission to anyone wearing a Sounders FC gear. In addition, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PT, fans can expect special appearances by former Sounders FC player and current team Brand Ambassador Brad Evans and Sounders FC mascot Sammy the Sounder.
The first 100 youth visitors also receive a free soccer ball courtesy of RAVE Foundation and all guests have the opportunity to enter to win an autographed Sounders FC jersey, with the Burke Museum choosing a total of five winners.
When at the Burke Museum, Seattle Sounders FC and Intentionalist also encourage fans to visit Off the Rez Café – Seattle’s first Native food truck and café owned by Mark McConnell and Cecilia Rikard – for one free taco courtesy of Sounders FC x Intentionalist. Once there, fans should let the staff at Off the Rez know to charge their order to the Sounders FC x Intentionalist tab. The deal will be available until the tab runs out.
Fans are also invited to visit the Northwest Native Art Gallery at the Burke Museum to enjoy the inaugural exhibit of six Pacific Northwest Native artists from across the region. Featuring both newly created and historic basketry, carvings, multimedia art and more, these women bring personal meanings to Native art while embracing the heritage of their ancestors and cultures. In addition to future rotating exhibitions from artists, the gallery is anchored by permanent displays of monumental objects including a 35-foot canoe, welcome figure, totem poles and house posts. The Northwest Native Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the Burke Museum.
The Burke Museum is located at 4303 Memorial Way NE, Seattle, Washington, 98195. Museum hours are 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. PT Tuesday to Sunday. Parking at the Burke Museum is also free on Sundays.
For additional information on any of the mentioned Native American Heritage Month activities, media may contact Gisselle Pichardo of Sounders FC Communications **[**GisselleP@SoundersFC.com**].**
- SOUNDERS FC -
