Commited to respectfully and proactively upholding every tenet of the treaty with the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, Ottawa University endeavors to preserve the practices and trust of the Tribe. They work together to ensure the legacy of this partnership remains in place for many years to come.
Braves
Ottawa University became known as the Ottawa Braves in November 1922, and since then, the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma has insisted and affirmed its continual use.
Giego
The University actively collaborates and follows the guidance of the Tribe in all such matters that include convocations, seminars, experiential learning activities and history lessons and tours, ceremonies and ceremonial attire, and the appearance of Giego, the portrayal of the “Spirit of the Brave” to lead processions at select ceremonies held at the University. This role of Giego is reserved exclusively for a member of the Ottawa Tribe enrolled as a student at the University. Giego’s ceremonial costume is designed and provided by the Tribe.
Gibby
The river otter is the sacred animal of the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma. With the blessing of the Tribe and the student body, this was adopted as the University’s mascot and named Gibby in 1999.
For the official statement from the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma regarding these University marks, click here.