Phoenix Suns ORIGINATIV Night honors AZ Tribes

The Phoenix Suns ORIGINATIV Night Presented by Gila River Resorts & Casinos on March 2, was an emphatic “Wham, Bam, Slam!” as the voice of the late Suns Al McCoy would say.  

ORIGINATIV Night is an annual recognition hosted by the Suns that honors Arizona’s 22 tribal nations with cultural presentations, performances and spotlights on Indigenous artists including the Gila River Indian Community’s very own Christopher “Jim Jupiter” Murphy, who was one of four local Native artists selected to hand paint one-of-a-kind ORIGINATIV basketballs on display in the Pavilion during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.  

 

Artist Selina A. Scott (Diné) designed the exclusive ORIGINATIV T-shirt, which is available online and in the Suns Team Shop. 

 

“My designs were focused on the O’otham and Pee Posh artistry,” said Murphy who was also featured on the Suns social media campaign for ORIGINATIV. 

 

Murphy said he was recommended by Senior Director of Live Presentation for the Phoenix Suns Shawn Martinez for ORIGINATIV and he relied on his experience as a sneaker customizer to design his artwork by blending the Suns colors of purple and orange with Native elements. 

 

Murphy recently made the award list for the juried competition at the 67th Annual HEARD Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. 

 

ORIGINATIV had something for all the Indigenous fans, including the many GRIC members in attendance with pregame activities, halftime performances and honored guests such as stars from the Netflix film “Rez Ball.” 

 

“At all levels we had [GRIC] involvement,” said Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis of ORIGINATIV. 

Gov. Lewis praised the partnership with the Phoenix Suns. 

 

“It was a proud night,” he said. 

 

Members of the cast also enjoyed the celebration. Including Kusem Goodwind who played  Nataanii Jackson on “Rezball.” 

 

“I’m over the moon to be here, to be in the presence of a lot of Native peoples,” he said of participating in ORIGINATIV.  

 

Following the game, all the artists, and guests gathered at half court for a group picture organized by Mr. Martinez with the Phoenix Suns including, Anointed Antone from Division 1 Boys State Champions Skyline Gila River. 

 

Antone called the night a good experience and enjoyed seeing the players up close during the game.