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By Ray Hamill — A group of lucky local Native American youth recently got the opportunity to play at the Golden State Warriors’ Chase Arena before an NBA game.

Two Feathers Native American Family Services officials brought a group of 30 kids from all around the county to participate in the Warriors’ Native American Heritage Night in the San Francisco arena.

The group included 10 middle school aged kids who took the court before the Warriors’ showdown against the Sacramento Kings for an exhibition game against a youth team from Round Valley.

And it was an occasion none of them will easily forget.

“At first they were a little nervous,” Keoki Burbank of Two Feathers Native American Family Services said. “But they just had such a fun time, and they were excited to play.”

The young group of players also got to hang out in the arena tunnel before the game and watch Warriors stars Draymond Green and Stephen Curry shoot in pregame warm-ups.

It was the second time Two Feathers Native American Family Services has traveled with local youth to the city for the Warriors’ Native American Heritage Night, having also done so two years ago.

Native America Heritage Night celebrates Indigenous culture and honors significant figures in Native American history. 

The annual event features a series of activities that highlight the rich heritage and contributions of Native American communities.

Lindy Waters III, who is a Kiowa-American pro basketball player and a member of the Golden State Warriors, also spoke to the Native American kids in attendance after the game.

“We played and we got to enjoy the game and after the game we listened to Lindy Waters, who is just the fifth ever Native American to play in the NBA,” Burbank said. “They were moved by Lindy Waters.”

Two Feathers Native American Family Services is a local mental health organization that works with local native youth.

“We are grateful for the opportunity and excited to hopefully do more things like that in the future,” said Burbank, who also has traveled to the city with local youth for the San Francisco Giants Native American Heritage Night.