First Native woman drives Oklahoma’s Sooner Schooner mascot

Brianna Howard, a junior and member of the Choctaw Nation, made history by being the first Native American woman to drive the University of Oklahoma’s Sooner Schooner, its iconic mascot, during a football game. She described the experience as exhilarating, emphasizing her focus on taking ownership of a symbol often associated with oppression. The Schooner, introduced in 1964, is a significant tradition in college football, pulled by ponies named Boomer and Sooner. While some view the Schooner as a reminder of the past, Howard sees it as a way to reclaim power for her culture.