Users have seen that Google has modified its recognisable logo to honour the Indigenous North American stickball sport while conducting searches today.
The striking design honours one of the oldest team games in North America and features a Google logo drawing by Native American artist Marlena Myles, who lives and works in Saint Paul.
Stickball, which is frequently compared to lacrosse, was invented by a number of Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole, and Yuchi.
One Cherokee story tells of the first stickball game ever played between birds and land creatures.
The team of birds ultimately prevailed after outwitting the land creatures with speed and ingenuity. A bear, deer, and turtle were overconfident that they would win the game via sheer might.
Up to 1,000 men from opposing tribes participated in traditional stickball matches that lasted several days. The game was frequently organised in lieu of violence and played a significant role in maintaining the peace.
Along with resolving conflicts, it was also practised to prepare young soldiers for battle and served as an enjoyable element to festivals and celebrations.
Stickball is still played by various groups across North America today. Two poles or sticks are at each end of the field, and players take turns throwing the ball down it. Stickball sticks are used to pitch the ball down a field toward teammates who hit or contact the pole to score points. Stickball sticks have a rounded end.
Each game begins with customary rites, which may involve smudging or tobacco burning. This is supposed to cleanse participants' minds before the game begins.
Although stickball's rules and customs have changed throughout time, the game's fundamentals continue to be a significant method for communities to uphold Native traditions.
What's with Google's Stickball Celebration?
President George H. W. Bush proclaimed November 1990 to be American Native American Heritage Month. President Joe Biden reiterated this declaration on October 31, 2022.
In order to declare November 2022 as National Native American Heritage Month, Biden said: "Now, Therefore, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority bestowed in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do thus proclaim."
I implore all Americans to mark this month with appropriate programmes, rituals, and activities and to recognise November 25, 2022, as Native American Heritage Day on the federal, state, and municipal levels.
The Google Doodle for November 1 features a stickball artwork to commemorate the start of Native American Heritage Month.
According to Google illustrator Marlena Myles, "I was very eager to create something entertaining, important, and that can teach many people about an ancient Native American sport that is still performed today."
Myles watched movies and listened to interviews to obtain a deeper grasp of the game while he worked on the image that is currently prominently shown on the Google homepage across all of North America.
It's a sport that helps the entire community heal, she said. People play for more reasons than merely winning, such as the wellbeing of their community. Our numerous tribes have actively participated in this sport for years and will do so in the future.
