Soboba Tribal member Mary Silvas recently had her artwork take center court at the University of Idaho. The talented third-year student at the University of Idaho custom designed a logo for this year’s Tribal Nations Night on Jan. 18. The powerful celebration of pride, athletic excellence and the enduring relationship between the university and Tribal nations, the annual event culminates in basketball games played by the men’s and women’s Vandals.
Silvas, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art and Design, was asked to create a design for the event by Dakota Kidder, Tribal Nations Student Services Program Coordinator, and she was happy to do so. Her design beautifully captures the event’s spirit and purpose.
“I like helping out in any way I can,” she said. “And drawing things about the culture makes me feel good about it.” An added bonus is that Silvas works for the men’s basketball team as a manager.
Silvas said she draws inspiration from her cultural heritage. Her work blends traditional and contemporary elements, celebrating and uplifting Indigenous perspectives. These themes are central to her design for the Tribal Nations Night logo, which features the iconic Vandal logo intertwined with symbolic feathers representing strength and resilience. A basketball motif connects the design to the athletic focus of the event, visually uniting sport and culture.
Through her thoughtful design, Silvas has created a visual identity that embodies the pride, community and excellence celebrated during Tribal Nations Night. The logo is more than just an image – it’s a symbol of unity, honoring both the athletic accomplishments of Native players and the rich traditions of Tribal communities that inspire them.
Tribal Nations Night, established in 2016 as a collaboration between UI Athletics and the UI Native American Student Center, began as a way to honor Native American athletes on the basketball team. Over the years, it has evolved into a cherished tradition that not only highlights Native athletes’ achievements but also reaffirms the University of Idaho’s commitment to respecting Tribal sovereignty and amplifying Native voices through teaching, research and programming.
Other Tribal Nations Night activities included a drum group singing, the Tribal flags entrance at the girls’ game for the opening, and dancers and drum group singing at halftime for both games. Playing against the Eastern Washington Eagles, the Vandals’ teams came out victorious in front of a crowd of nearly 2,500 fans.
Silvas’ design was reproduced on shirts and stickers, warm-up shirts for the players, a banner above the scoreboard and multiple fliers.
Her goal after graduation is to become an animator. “I would like to work for either Pixar, Disney, or DreamWorks, whoever will hire me,” she said. “I want to help out with the Tribe and other Tribes by using some of the cultures in my work to show and teach other non-Natives about the culture around the world. I want to share my ideas and stories.”
Although she did not grow up on the Soboba Reservation, Silvas spent many spring breaks and summers there. She grew up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, not too far away from the University of Idaho. The granddaughter of Leandro “Tato” Silvas and daughter of Daniel and Kassie Silvas, Mary appreciates the support she receives from her friends and relatives, which includes her older brothers David, Kanan and Michael Silvas and their families.
“I try my best in the art classes I take and see this moment as a good opportunity to learn and grow from experience,” she said.
Photos courtesy of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
