How the Bills celebrate and honor Native American Heritage Month

Nov 18, 2025 at 03:10 PM

Maddy Glab

Team Reporter

Buffalo Bills vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Regular Season, November 16, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.

In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, the Buffalo Bills carried out a range of meaningful activities both throughout the month and during their Week 11 game against Tampa Bay to pay tribute to the month and celebrate the people it honors.

During pregame, the Bills welcomed flag football players and coaches from the Seneca Nation Community Centers to the field to be recognized for their participation in the first ever Seneca Nation flag football program. They received a grant for $20,000 in support of this initiative from the Buffalo Bills and Nike. In celebration of this initiative the Bills hosted flag football clinics on November 6 at the Seneca Allegany Community Center and November 11 at the Buffalo Bills Training Center with appearances by Bills Legends, Billy Buffalo, and Bills Players.

The Bills continued their celebration of the month by having an important group participate as the flag holders. Members from the Allegany and Cattaraugus Seneca girls lacrosse teams, the Ohiyo' Storm and Seneca Heat, as well as community members from Native American Community Services helped hold the flags before the game kicked off.

The color guard was represented by the American Legion Iroquois Post 1587 from Seneca Nation Territory lead by Post Commander Ron Cook Jr.

In the Community | How The Buffalo Bills Are Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

On Sunday, November 16th, the Buffalo Bills celebrated Native American Heritage Month during the Bills vs. Buccaneers game. During pregame, the Bills welcomed flag football players and coaches from the Seneca Nation Community Centers to the field to be recognized for their participation in the first ever Seneca Nation flag football program and receive a grant for $20,000 in support of this initiative from the Buffalo Bills and Nike. Members from the Allegany and Cattaraugus Seneca Girls Lacrosse Teams, the Ohiyo' Storm and Seneca Heat, alongside community members from Native American Community Services held the player introduction banners prior to gameplay. During the National Anthem, the colors were presented by the American Legion Iroquois Post 1587 from the Seneca Nation Territory lead by Post Commander Ron Cook Jr. During halftime, gëjóhgwa' performed their Native American social dance. As the final element of the NAHM Celebration, the Bills honored Sergeant Joshua Howard on field during the 3rd quarter break. He began his United States Army career in 2005. During this time, Josh was deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2006 to November 2007. He served as a Military Intelligence All-Source Analyst for the Multi-National Corps Iraq, Command, and Control Element in Baghdad. Today, Josh resides in South Dayton, NY and is the Director of Talent Development for Seneca Resorts & Casinos; the Vice President of the Board of Education for Pine Valley Central School; and the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Seneca Nation of Indians Economic Development Company.