Native American Heritage Month Honored by the Buffalo Bills

Each November, as Native American Heritage Month unfolds across the United States, the Buffalo Bills have made it a priority to honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous communities—particularly those with deep roots in Western New York, where the team calls home. Native American Heritage Month Honored by the Buffalo Bills isn’t just a series of one-off events; it’s a year-round commitment to partnership, education, and respect, reflecting the team’s belief that sports can be a bridge between cultures. For the Bills, this month-long recognition is personal: the Buffalo region is the ancestral land of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (also known as the Iroquois Confederacy), a group of six Indigenous nations with a legacy spanning centuries. By honoring this heritage, the Bills aim to amplify Indigenous voices, correct historical erasures, and build lasting connections with the communities that have shaped the region.

Native American Heritage Month Honored by the Buffalo Bills begins with the team’s signature initiative: the “Haudenosaunee Heritage Game,” held annually during November. This game isn’t just about football—it’s a celebration of Indigenous culture, featuring pre-game ceremonies led by Haudenosaunee elders, traditional dances performed by local Indigenous youth groups, and the display of Haudenosaunee flags alongside the American and Canadian flags. In 2024, the Bills invited members of the Seneca Nation (one of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy) to perform the “Great Law of Peace” ceremony before kickoff—a ritual that symbolizes unity and cooperation, values the Bills say align with their team ethos. “This game is our way of saying, ‘We see you, we honor you, and we’re committed to learning from you,’” said Bills Community Relations Director Kelli Masters. “Too often, Indigenous stories are left out of mainstream conversations, but here, we want them to be front and center.” The team also distributes educational booklets to fans attending the game, highlighting Haudenosaunee history, language, and contemporary achievements—ensuring the celebration is as informative as it is festive.

Native American Heritage Month Honored by the Buffalo Bills next explores the Bills’ partnerships with local Indigenous organizations, which form the backbone of their heritage month efforts. The team has collaborated closely with the Seneca Nation of Indians, the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, and the Haudenosaunee Education Center to develop programs that go beyond November. One key initiative is the “Haudenosaunee Youth Football Clinic,” where Bills players and coaches work with Indigenous kids aged 8–14 to teach football skills—but also to share lessons about teamwork, resilience, and cultural pride. The clinic, held at the Bills’ training facility in Orchard Park, includes a session with Haudenosaunee elders who talk about the importance of sports in Indigenous communities, from traditional games like lacrosse (invented by the Haudenosaunee) to modern athletics. “Growing up, I never saw Indigenous kids represented in football the way I do now,” said 12-year-old Lila Jimerson, a participant from the Seneca Nation. “Meeting Bills players who care about our culture makes me feel proud of who I am.” The Bills also donate equipment and funding to Indigenous youth sports programs, ensuring that cost never bars kids from participating in the sports they love.

Native American Heritage Month Honored by the Buffalo Bills highlights how the Buffalo Bills’ players and coaches take an active role in these celebrations, using their platform to amplify Indigenous voices. Quarterback Josh Allen, a vocal advocate for social justice, has spoken publicly about the importance of honoring Native American heritage, noting that his own family has Indigenous roots (his great-grandmother was part of the Cherokee Nation). In 2024, Allen recorded a video message for the Haudenosaunee Education Center, sharing what he’d learned about Haudenosaunee history and encouraging fans to educate themselves. “I used to think I knew a lot about the history of this region, but working with Indigenous leaders has taught me how much I didn’t know,” Allen said in the video. “This month is a reminder that we all have a responsibility to listen and learn.” Other players, like defensive end Von Miller and tight end Dawson Knox, have volunteered at the youth football clinic and attended Haudenosaunee cultural events, including a traditional feast hosted by the Seneca Nation. The Buffalo Bills’ coaching staff has also gotten involved: head coach Sean McDermott met with Haudenosaunee elders in October to discuss how the team’s values of “brotherhood” and “accountability” align with Haudenosaunee principles of community.

Native American Heritage Month Honored by the Buffalo Bills delves into the team’s efforts to address historical inequities, which go beyond celebration to action. In 2023, the Bills announced a $500,000 donation to the Haudenosaunee Language Revitalization Program, which works to preserve Indigenous languages like Seneca, Cayuga, and Onondaga—many of which are at risk of being lost as elder speakers pass away. The funds support language classes for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members, as well as the creation of digital resources (like apps and online dictionaries) to make language learning more accessible. The Bills also partnered with local schools to integrate Haudenosaunee history into their curricula, providing teachers with lesson plans and guest speakers from Indigenous communities. “Honoring heritage isn’t just about looking back—it’s about ensuring these cultures thrive for future generations,” said Masters. “By investing in language and education, we’re helping to build a future where Indigenous kids grow up seeing their culture reflected in every part of their community, including sports.” The Buffalo Bills’ commitment to action has earned praise from Indigenous leaders, with Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong Sr. calling the team “a true ally in our fight for cultural survival.”

Native American Heritage Month Honored by the Buffalo Bills wraps up with why these efforts matter for the Bills, their fans, and the broader community. For the team, honoring Native American heritage is a way to live up to their motto of “One Buffalo”—a vision of a unified region where everyone feels seen and included. For fans, it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with cultures they may not have encountered otherwise. And for Indigenous communities, it’s a chance to have their stories told with respect, rather than through stereotypes or erasure. In 2024, after the Haudenosaunee Heritage Game, a group of Indigenous fans gathered outside Highmark Stadium to share their gratitude with the team. “For so long, we felt like outsiders in our own home,” said Seneca Nation member John Smoke. “But the Bills have made us feel like part of the family. That’s what this month is all about.” As Native American Heritage Month comes to a close each year, the Bills are quick to note that their work isn’t done—they continue to collaborate with Indigenous organizations year-round, ensuring the honor is ongoing, not just seasonal. Native American Heritage Month Honored by the Buffalo Bills is, at its core, a story of allyship: a sports team using its platform to lift others up, and a community coming together to celebrate the diversity that makes Western New York unique.