Jump to content

Native American mascot controversy

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Atlanta Braves encouraged fans to gesture with the tomahawk chop, distributing foam tomahawks at games and other events.[1]

Since the 1960s, the issue of Native American and First Nations names and images being used by sports teams as mascots has been the subject of increasing public controversy in the United States and Canada. This has been a period of rising Indigenous civil rights movements, and Native Americans and their supporters object to the use of images and names in a manner and context they consider derogatory. They have conducted numerous protests and tried to educate the public on this issue.

In response since the 1970s, an increasing number of secondary schools have retired such Native American names and mascots. Changes accelerated in 2020, following public awareness of institutional racism prompted by nationally covered cases of police misconduct. National attention was focused on the prominent use of names and images by professional franchises including the Washington Commanders (Redskins until July 2020)[2] and the Cleveland Guardians (Indians until November 2021). In Canada, the Edmonton Eskimos became the Edmonton Elks in 2021. Each such change at the professional level has been followed by changes of school teams; for instance, 29 changed their names between August and December 2020. A National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) database tracks some 1,900 K-12 schools in 970 school districts with Native “themed” school mascots.[3]

The issue has been reported in terms of Native Americans being affected by the offensiveness of certain terms, images, and performances. A more comprehensive understanding of the history and context of using Native American names and images is a reason for sports teams to eliminate such usage.[4] Social science research has shown that sports mascots and images are important symbols with deeper psychological and social effects in society.[5] A 2020 analysis of this research indicates only negative effects; those psychologically detrimental to Native American students and to non-Native persons by promoting negative stereotypes and prejudicial ideas of Native Americans and undermining inter-group relations.[6] Based on such research showing negative effects, more than 115 professional organizations representing civil rights, educational, athletic, and scientific experts, have adopted resolutions stating that such use of Native American names and symbols by non-native sports teams is a form of ethnic stereotyping; it promotes misunderstanding and prejudice that contributes to other problems faced by Native Americans.[7][8]

Defenders of mascots often state their intention to honor Native Americans by referring to positive traits, such as fighting spirit and being strong, brave, stoic, dedicated, and proud; while opponents see these traits as being based upon stereotypes of Native Americans as savages.[9] In general, the social sciences recognize that all ethnic stereotypes, whether positive or negative, are harmful because they promote false or misleading associations between a group and an attribute, fostering a disrespectful relationship. The injustice of such stereotypes is recognized with regard to other racial or ethnic groups, thus mascots are considered morally questionable regardless of offense being taken by individuals.[10] Defenders of the status quo also state that the issue is not important, being only about sports, and that the opposition is nothing more than "political correctness", which change advocates argue ignores the extensive evidence of harmful effects of stereotypes and bias.[11]

The NCAI and over 1,500 national Native organizations and advocates have called for a ban on all Native imagery, names, and other appropriation of Native culture in sports. The joint letter included over 100 Native-led organizations, as well as tribal leaders and members of over 150 federally recognized tribes, reflecting their consensus that Native mascots are harmful.[12][13] Use of such imagery and terms has declined, but at all levels of American and Canadian sports it remains fairly common. Former Representative Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico), approved in March 2021 as the first Indigenous Secretary of the Interior, has long advocated for teams to change such mascots.[14]

History

[edit]

European Americans have had a history of "playing Indian" that dates back to the colonial period. In the 19th century, fraternal organizations such as the Tammany Societies and the Improved Order of Red Men adopted the words and material culture of Native Americans in part to establish an aboriginal identity, while ignoring the dispossession and conquest of Indigenous peoples.[15][16] This practice spread to youth groups, such as the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) (in particular, the Order of the Arrow) and many summer camps.[17] University students in the late 19th and early 20th centuries adopted Indian names and symbols for their sports teams, as traditional Native American life was imagined by European Americans.[18]

Professional team names had similar origins. In professional baseball the team that is now the Atlanta Braves was founded as the Boston Red Stockings in 1871; becoming the Boston Braves in 1912. Their owner, James Gaffney, was a member of New York City's political machine, Tammany Hall. It was nominally formed to honor Tamanend, a chief of the Lenape, then known as the Delaware. The team that moved to become the Washington Redskins in 1937 was originally also known as the Boston Braves; both the football and baseball teams played at Braves Field. After moving to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, the team name was changed to the Boston Redskins in 1933, using a "red" identifier while retaining the Braves "Indian Head" logo. While defenders of the Redskins sometimes say the name honored coach William Henry Dietz, who claimed Native American heritage, the use of Native American names and imagery by this NFL team began in 1932 - before Dietz was hired in 1933.[19]

The Cleveland Indians' name originated from a request by club owner Charles Somers to baseball writers to choose a new name to replace the "Naps", following the departure of their star player Nap Lajoie after the 1914 season.[20] The name "Indians" was chosen. It was a nickname previously applied to the old Cleveland Spiders baseball club during the time when Louis Sockalexis, a member of the Penobscot tribe of Maine, played for Cleveland.[21] The success of the Boston Braves in the 1914 World Series may have been another reason for adopting an Indian mascot. The version that the team is named to honor Sockalexis, as the first Native American to play Major League Baseball, cannot be verified from historical documents.[22] According to a 21st-century account, the contemporary news stories reporting the new name in 1915 make no mention of Sockalexis, but do make numerous insulting references to Native Americans.[23]

The stereotyping of Native Americans must be understood in the context of history which includes conquest, forced relocation, and organized efforts to eradicate native cultures. The government-sponsored boarding schools of the late 19th and early 20th centuries separated young Native Americans from their families in an effort to assimilate them to the mainstream and educate them as European Americans.[24] As stated in an editorial by Carter Meland (Anishinaabe) and David E. Wilkins (Lumbee), both professors of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota:

Since the first Europeans made landfall in North America, native peoples have suffered under a weltering array of stereotypes, misconceptions and caricatures. Whether portrayed as noble savages, ignoble savages, teary-eyed environmentalists or, most recently, simply as casino-rich, native peoples find their efforts to be treated with a measure of respect and integrity undermined by images that flatten complex tribal, historical and personal experience into one-dimensional representations that tells us more about the depicters than about the depicted.[25]

Viewpoints

[edit]

Native American

[edit]

Why do these people continue to make a mockery of our culture? In almost every game of hockey, basketball, baseball, and football— whether high school, college, or professional leagues— I see some form of degrading activity being conducted by non-Indians of Indian culture! We Indian people never looked the way these caricatures portray us. Nor have we ever made a mockery of the white people. So then why do they do this to us? It is painful to see the mockery of our ways. It is a deep pain.

Dennis J. Banks, American Indian Movement, 1970[26]

In the 1940s, the NCAI created a campaign to eliminate negative stereotyping of Native American people in the media. Over time, the campaign began to focus on Indian names and mascots in sports.[27] The NCAI maintains that teams with mascots such as the Braves and the Redskins perpetuate negative stereotypes of Native American people and demean their traditions and rituals. "Often citing a long-held myth by non-Native people that "Indian" mascots "honor Native people," American sports businesses such as the NFL's Washington 'Redskins' and Kansas City 'Chiefs', MLB's Cleveland 'Indians' and Atlanta 'Braves', and the NHL's Chicago Black Hawks, continue to profit from harmful stereotypes originated during a time when white superiority and segregation were commonplace."[28]

Several of the founders of the American Indian Movement, including Clyde Bellecourt, Vernon Bellecourt,[29] Dennis Banks and Russell Means,[30] were among the first to protest team names and mascots such as the Washington Redskins and Chief Wahoo. Vernon Bellecourt also founded the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media (NCARSM) in 1989.[31] Cornel Pewewardy (Comanche-Kiowa), Professor and Director of Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University, cites Indigenous mascots as an example of dysconscious racism. By placing images of Native American or First Nations people into an invented media context, this continues to maintain the superiority of the dominant culture.[32] Such practices can be seen as a form of cultural imperialism or neocolonialism.[33]

Native mascots are part of the larger issues of cultural appropriation and the violation of indigenous intellectual property rights. This encompasses all instances when non-natives use indigenous music, art, costumes, etc. in entertainment and commerce. Scholars contend that harm to Native Americans occurs because the appropriation of Native culture by the majority society continues the systems of dominance and subordination that have been used to colonize, assimilate, and oppress Indigenous groups.[34] The use of caricatures of Native Americans as sports mascots has been characterized as contributing to the marginalization of the people in the larger culture. While consultation with other minorities on major projects has improved, decisions affecting Native Americans, such as building the Dakota Access Pipeline, have been made while excluding Native concerns.[35]

Issues related to misunderstanding of Native American legal status have also arisen in cases of foster care or adoption of Native American children. Among these is what is known as the Baby Veronica case, in which a child was adopted by a white family without the consent of her father, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation.[36] Federal legislation has been passed to strengthen the priority of tribes in determining the care of their children, as often extended family take over care when needed.

Not all Native Americans totally oppose mascots. Steven Denson (Chickasaw), a professor at Southern Methodist University, has said that there are acceptable ways to use Native American mascots if it is done in a respectful and tasteful manner. He says:

I believe it is acceptable if used in a way that fosters understanding and increased positive awareness of the Native-American culture. And it must also be done with the support of the Native-American community. There is a way to achieve a partnership that works together to achieve mutually beneficial goals.[37]

The NCAI has recognized the right of individual tribes to establish relationships with teams that allow the latter to retain tribal names.[38] For instance, the Spokane Indians, a minor league baseball team, has established a relationship with the Spokane tribe. It has abandoned Native American imagery that it had used when the team was founded in 1903. The logo is an "S" and includes a feather; "Spokane" is written on the team jerseys in Salish, the Spokane language; this is also used for bilingual signs in the ballpark. The mascot is a person dressed as a trout, in reference to the tribe's tradition of fishing. Opponents of Native mascots are divided on this approach. Suzan Shown Harjo says that there is no such thing as a positive stereotype; while Stephanie Fryberg responds that even if the team's use of the name may be respectful, opposing fans may use racist gestures and references.[39]

Social sciences and education

[edit]

A consensus on the damage caused by the use of Native American mascots was stated by the Society of Indian Psychologists in 1999:

Stereotypical and historically inaccurate images of Indians, in general, interfere with learning about them by creating, supporting and maintaining oversimplified and inaccurate views of Indigenous peoples and their cultures. When stereotypical representations are taken as factual information, they contribute to the development of cultural biases and prejudices, (clearly a contradiction to the educational mission of the University.) In the same vein, we believe that continuation of the use of Indians as symbols and mascots is incongruous with the philosophy espoused by many Americans as promoting inclusivity and diversity.[40]

Sports mascots have been cited as an example of microaggressions, the everyday insults that members of marginalized minority groups are subject to by other groups in society.[41]

In 2005, the American Psychological Association (APA) issued a resolution "Recommending the Immediate Retirement of American Indian Mascots, Symbols, Images, and Personalities by Schools, Colleges, Universities, Athletic Teams, and Organizations" due to the harm done by creating a hostile environment, the negative effects on the self-esteem of American Indian children, and discrimination that may violate civil rights. Such use also affects non-natives: by reinforcing mainstream stereotypes, and preventing learning about Native American culture. The APA states that stereotyping is disrespectful of the beliefs, traditions and values of Native Americans.[42] In 2021, the New York Association of School Psychologists reiterated the APA position on Native mascots in its position statement advocating the inclusion of Indigenous persons in educational programs regarding diversity.[43]

Similar resolutions have been adopted by the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport,[44] the American Sociological Association,[45] the American Counseling Association,[46] and the American Anthropological Association.[47] In a 2005 report on the status of Native American students, the National Education Association included the elimination of Indian mascots and sports team names as a recommendation for improvement.[48] In 2018, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced it would no longer consider teams with racist mascots, such as the Kansas City and Washington football teams, for its annual RWJF Sports Award; this recognizes organizations that contribute to public health through sports.[49]

Social science research has substantiated the objections by Native Americans to use of such elements. In particular, studies support the view that sports mascots and images are not trivial.[50] Stereotyping directly affects academic performance and self-esteem of Native American students, contributing to other issues faced by Native Americans, including suicide, unemployment, and poverty.[51] European Americans exposed to mascots are more likely to believe not only that stereotypes are true, but that Native Americans have no identity beyond these stereotypes.[52] Two studies examining the effect of exposure to an American Indian sports mascot found a tendency to endorse stereotypes of a different minority group (Asian Americans), which is indicative of a "spreading effect". Exposure to any stereotypes increased the likelihood of stereotypical thinking; demonstrating the harm done to society by stereotyping of any kind.[53][54] A connection between stereotyping and racism of any group increasing the likelihood of stereotyping others was made by Native Americans opposing the "Indians" mascot in Skowhegan, Maine, when fliers promoting the KKK were distributed in that town.[55]

Civil rights

[edit]

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) passed a resolution calling for the end of the use of Native American names, images, and mascots in 1999.[56]

In 2001, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights released an advisory opinion calling for an end to the use of Native American images and team names by non-Native schools. While recognizing the right to freedom of expression, the commission also recognizes those Native Americans and civil rights advocates that maintain these mascots, by promoting stereotypes, may violate anti-discrimination laws. When found in educational institutions, mascots may also create a hostile environment inconsistent with learning to respect diverse cultures, but instead teach that stereotypes that misrepresent a minority group are permissible. Those schools that claim that their sports imagery stimulate interest in Native American culture have not listened to Native groups and civil rights leaders who point out that even purportedly positive stereotypes both present a false portrayal of the past and prevent understanding of contemporary Native people as fellow Americans.[57]

In a report issued in 2012, a United Nations expert on Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples cited the continued use of Native American references by sports team as a part of the stereotyping that "obscures understanding of the reality of Native Americans today and instead help to keep alive racially discriminatory attitudes."[58] Justice Murray Sinclair, the head of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission said in 2015 "sports teams with offensive names, such as Redskins and cartoonish aboriginal-looking mascots have no place in a country trying to come to grips with racism in its past".[59]

In testimony at a session of the Nebraska Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in December 2020, local Tribal leaders said it's time for the 22 schools statewide to review their use of Native American names, symbols, and images for their mascots. The Nebraska School Activities Association which oversees interscholastic sports indicated support for ongoing discussion, but that they had no authority to issue statewide mandates regarding mascots. University of Nebraska Omaha Professor Edouardo Zendejas, a member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, in addition to advocating legislation, sees the need to revise the history curriculum to include accurate information regarding Native Americans which is currently lacking.[60]

[edit]

While all advocates for elimination of Native mascots agree that the practice is morally wrong, many do not find a basis for legal remedy based upon violation of civil rights. Civil rights law in the United States reflect the difference between the experience of racism by African Americans and Native Americans. The effects of slavery continued after emancipation in the form of discrimination that insured a continued source of cheap labor. What European Americans wanted from Native Americans was not labor but land, and many were willing to have native people themselves assimilate. Continued discrimination came to those who refused to do so, but asserted their separate identity and rights of sovereignty. The appropriation of native cultures is therefore seen as discriminatory practice by some but is not understood as such by those that think of assimilation as a positive process. The difference is reflected in the continued popularity of Native Americans as mascots when similar usage of the names and images of any other ethnic group, in particular African Americans, would be unthinkable, and the continued claim that the stereotype of the "noble savage" honors Native Americans.[61]

In February 2013, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) filed a complaint with the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR). MDCR's complaint asserted that new research clearly establishes that use of American Indian imagery negatively impacts student learning, creating an unequal learning environment in violation of Article VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.[62] In June 2013, the OCR dismissed the case on the basis that the legal standard required not only harm, but the intent to do harm, which was not established.[63]

A legal claim of discrimination rests upon a group agreeing that a particular term or practice is offensive, thus opponents of mascot change often point to individuals claiming Native American heritage who say they are not offended. This raised the difficulty of Native American identity in the United States, also an evolving controversy.[10]

Religious organizations

[edit]

In 1992, the Central Conference of American Rabbis issued a resolution calling for the end of sports teams names that promote racism, in particular the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Redskins.[64] In 2001, the Unitarian Universalist Association passed a resolution to establish relationships with groups working to end the use of Indian images and symbols for sports and media mascots.[65] In 2004, the United Methodist Church also passed a resolution condemning the use of Native American team names and sports mascots, which was highlighted in a meeting of the Black caucus of that organization in 2007.[66][67]

A child once asked me why Indians were "mean." Where did he get that idea? By schools such as the University of Illinois "honoring" my ancestors?[68]

Rev. Alvin Deer (Kiowa/Creek), United Methodist Church

In 2013 group of sixty-one religious leaders in Washington, D.C. sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Redskins owner Daniel Snyder stating their moral obligation to join the "Change the Mascot" movement due to the offensive and inappropriate nature of the name which causes pain whether or not that is intended.[69][70]

Members of the Indian Affairs Committee of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends approved a formal statement condemning the name of the Washington football team, stating that "the NFL has violated its core principles for decades by allowing the team playing in Washington, D.C., to carry the name 'redskins,' a racist epithet that insults millions of Native Americans. Continued use of the term encourages and perpetuates persecution, disrespect, and bigotry against Native men, women, and children".[71] The Torch Committee, the student government organization of the Sandy Spring Friends School in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, voted to ban any apparel on the campus which includes the Redskins name, although the logo would continue to be allowed.[72]

In a meeting March 1, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC) unanimously passed a resolution proposing that its members boycott Washington Redskins games and shun products bearing the team's logo until the team changes its name and mascot. Redskin's spokesman Tony Wyllie offered a response, saying, "We respect those who disagree with our team's name, but we wish the United Church of Christ would listen to the voice of the overwhelming majority of Americans, including Native Americans, who support our name and understand it honors the heritage and tradition of the Native American community."[73] At its annual meeting in June 2014, the membership of the UCC also passed a resolution supporting the boycott.[74][75] The resolution and boycott was passed by the National Synod of the UCC in June, 2015.[76]

[edit]

Individuals for whom being American as central to their sense of self, the reality of Native oppression (e.g., genocide, police brutality) threatens their positive national identity. Native mascots erase and dehumanize Natives, and protect that identity.[77] The recent decisions by Washington and Cleveland has not altered the opinions of many who continue to argue that mascots are meant to be an honor to Native Americans, representing bravery, fighting spirit, or prowess. They dismiss efforts to cancel the names and images as political correctness masquerading as morality.[78]

General public opinion is shifting towards approval of eliminating mascots, with a majority of fans and younger people supporting recent changes by professional teams, as indicated by an Nielsen poll conducted in March 2021.[79]

The topic became an issue on a national level in the twenty-first century, with a hearing before the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in 2011,[80] and a symposium at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in 2013.[81] In November, 2015 President Obama, speaking at the White House Tribal Nations Conference, stated "Names and mascots of sports teams like the Washington Redskins perpetuate negative stereotypes of Native Americans" and praised Adidas for a new initiative to help schools change names and mascots by designing new logos and paying for part of the cost of new uniforms.[82]

Mainstream opinion reflects the function of identification with a sports team in both individual and group psychology. There are many benefits associated with sports fandom, both private (increased self-esteem) and public (community solidarity). The activity of viewing sporting events provide shared experiences that reinforce personal and group identification with a team. The name, mascot, cheerleaders, and marching band performances reinforce and become associated with these shared experiences.[83] In an open letter published in 2013, Daniel Snyder explicitly invoked these associations with family, friends, and an 81-year tradition as being the most important reasons for keeping the Redskins name.[84] When self-esteem becomes bound to the players and the team, there are many beneficial but also some unfortunate consequences, including denial or rationalization of misbehavior.[85] However, for some, the identity being expressed is one of supremacy, with the defense of native mascots being clearly racist.[26]

Some individuals who support the use of Native American mascots state that they are meant to be respectful, and to pay homage to Native American people. Many have made the argument that Native American mascots focus on bravery, courage and fighting skills rather than anything derogatory. Karl Swanson, vice-president of the Washington Redskins professional football team in 2003, declared in the magazine Sports Illustrated that his team's name "symbolizes courage, dignity, and leadership", and that the "Redskins symbolize the greatness and strength of a grand people".[86]

However, many note that the behavior of fans at games is not respectful. Richard Lapchick, director emeritus of Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society, in an article: "Could you imagine people mocking African Americans in black face at a game? Yet go to a game where there is a team with an Indian name and you will see fans with war paint on their faces. Is this not the equivalent to black face?"[87]

Others claim Native American mascots help promote the culture to those who might be unaware of its significance. Chief Illiniwek, the former mascot for the University of Illinois, became the subject of protest in 1988.[18] In 1990 the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois called the mascot a dignified symbol: "His ceremonial dance is done with grace and beauty. The Chief keeps the memory of the people of a great Native American tribe alive for thousands of Illinoisans who otherwise would know little or nothing of them."[18] However, the mascot costume was not based on the clothing of the people of the Illinois Confederation, but of the Lakota people, and the first three men to portray Illiniwek were not performing authentic Native American dances, but routines they had learned from other non-Native hobbyists in the Boy Scouts of America.[88] The Peoria people are the closest living descendants of the Illiniwek Confederacy. In response to requests by those who had portrayed the mascot to bring back occasional performances, Peoria Chief John P. Froman reaffirmed the tribe's position that Chief (Illiniwek) "was not in any way representative of Peoria culture".[89]

Conservative columnists have asserted that outrage over mascots is manufactured by white liberals, rather than being the authentic voice of Native Americans.[90][91][92]

Other team names and ethnic groups

[edit]

Many argue there is a double standard in Native Americans being so frequently used as a sports team name or mascot when the same usage would be unthinkable for other racial or ethnic group. One current exception is the Coachella Valley High School "Arabs"[93] which has also been the subject of controversy, resulting in the retirement of its more cartoonish representations.[94]

The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish[95] and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's "Ragin' Cajuns" are sometimes cited as counter-arguments to those that favor change. However, rather than referring to "others" these teams employ symbols that European American cultures have historically used to represent themselves.[96] The University of Notre Dame mascot, the Leprechaun,[97] is a mythical being that represents the Irish, which is both an ethnic and a national group.[98] The University of Louisiana at Lafayette mascot is an anthropomorphic cayenne pepper, an ingredient frequently found in Cajun cuisine. Proponents of change also see a false equivalency in the argument that if one group is not insulted by a particular portrayal, then no group has the right to feel insulted, which only serves to discount what Native American voices are saying. This argument ignores the vastly different backgrounds, treatment, and social positions of the groups; and the effects of systemic racism that continues to impact Native Americans but no longer white minorities such as the Irish. Also ignored are the cumulative effects of hundreds of Native mascots compared to the rare use of a white ethnic mascot.[99]

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights call for an end to the use of Native American mascots was only for non-native schools.[57] In cases where universities were founded to educate Native Americans, such mascots may not be examples of cultural appropriation or stereotyping. Examples include the Fighting Indians of the Haskell Indian Nations University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP), which continues to have a substantial number of native students, and close ties to the Lumbee tribe. The UNCP nickname is the Braves, but the mascot is a red-tailed hawk.[100][101] Pembroke Middle School, which also has close ties to the Lumbee tribe, is nicknamed the Warriors.[102][103]

Financial impact of change

[edit]

Many supporters of Native American mascots feel that the financial cost of changing mascots would outweigh the benefits. Sales of merchandise with team mascots and nicknames generate millions of dollars in sales each year, and teams contend that a change in team mascots would render this merchandise useless.[86] The cost of removing images from uniforms and all other items, which must be paid out of local school funds, is a greater factor for secondary schools.[104] Opponents feel that despite the cost of a change in team mascots, it should be done to prevent what they believe is racial stereotyping. Clyde Bellecourt, when director of the American Indian Movement stated: "It's the behavior that accompanies all of this that's offensive. The rubber tomahawks, the chicken feather headdresses, people wearing war paint and making these ridiculous war whoops with a tomahawk in one hand and a beer in the other; all of these have significant meaning for us. And the psychological impact it has, especially on our youth, is devastating."[86]

A study done by the Emory University Goizueta Business School indicates that the growing unpopularity of Native American mascots is a financial drain for professional teams, losing money compared to more popular animal mascots.[105] Writing for Forbes in response to the statewide mascot ban passed by Maine in 2019, marketing analyst Henry DeVries compares Native mascots to the retired "Frito Bandito" mascot, and argues that "offensive marketing mascots" are a bad idea financially and "on the wrong side of history".[106]

Public opinion surveys

[edit]

A survey conducted in 2002 by The Harris Poll for Sports Illustrated (SI) found that 81% of Native Americans who live outside traditional Indian reservations and 53% of Indians on reservations did not find the images discriminatory. The authors of the article concluded that "Although most Native American activists and tribal leaders consider Indian team names and mascots offensive, neither Native Americans in general nor a cross section of U.S. sports fans agree". According to the article, "There is a near total disconnect between Indian activists and the Native American population on this issue." An Indian activist commented on the results saying "that Native Americans' self-esteem has fallen so low that they don't even know when they're being insulted".[107] Soon after the SI article, a group of five social scientists experienced in researching the mascot issue published a journal article arguing against the validity of this survey and its conclusions. First they state that "The confidence with which the magazine asserts that a 'disconnect' between Native American activists and Native Americans exists on this issue belies the serious errors in logic and accuracy made in the simplistic labeling of Native Americans who oppose mascots as 'activists.'"[108][109]

A flaw unique to polls of Native Americans is they rely upon self-identification to select the target population. In an editorial in the Bloomington Herald Times, Steve Russell (an enrolled Cherokee citizen and associate professor of criminal justice at Indiana University), states that both SI and Annenberg's samples of "self-identified Native Americans ... includes plenty of people who have nothing to do with Indians".[110] Individuals claiming to be Native American when they are not is well known in academic research, and people claiming Indian identity specifically to gain authority in the debate over sports mascots has been criticised.[111]

[edit]

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) states that as of 2020 there were 1,916 schools in 1,025 school districts that use such mascots.[112]

While protests began in the 1970s, national attention to the issue did not occur until widespread television coverage of college and professional games brought the behavior of some fans to the attention of Native Americans. The appearance of the Atlanta Braves in the 1991 World Series and the Washington Redskins at the 1992 Super Bowl prompted the largest response because the games were played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which has a large Native American population.[113]

The documents most often cited to justify the elimination of Native mascots are the advisory opinion by the United States Commission on Civil Rights in 2001 and a resolution by the American Psychological Association in 2005.[42][57] Neither of these documents refer to subjective perceptions of offensiveness, but to scientific evidence of harms and legal definitions of discrimination. However, the issue is often discussed in the media in terms of feelings and opinions, and prevents full understanding of the history and context of the use of Native American names and images and why their use by sports teams should be eliminated.[4]

Individual school districts have responded to complaints by local Native American individuals and tribes, or have made changes due to an increased awareness of the issue among educators and students. New Native mascots have not been proposed in recent decades, or are withdrawn before becoming official due to public opposition. For example, in 2016 when one of the teams in the National College Prospects Hockey League (NCPHL) was announced as the Lake Erie Warriors with a caricature Mohawk logo[114] it was immediately changed to the Lake Erie Eagles.[115] Little League International updated its 2019 rulebook to include a statement prohibiting "the use of team names, mascots, nicknames or logos that are racially insensitive, derogatory or discriminatory in nature."[116] This decision has been applauded by the National Congress of American Indians.[117] In February, 2019 US Lacrosse issued a position statement which said in part "As the sport's national governing body, US Lacrosse believes that the misuse of Native American nicknames, logos, and mascots reflect and promote misleading stereotypes that are degrading and harmful to Native Americans. We will make every effort to assure that offensive or stereotypical mascots and logos will not be visible or promoted at events that US Lacrosse controls."[118]

[edit]

Laws, resolutions, or school board decisions regarding team names and mascots have been approved mostly in states with significant Native American populations. In 2022 Kansas approved a non-binding resolution encouraging the elimination of Native mascots within the next five years.[119] Other states to legally restrict the use of Native mascots include California (2015),[120] Colorado (2021),[121] Michigan (2012),[122] Nevada (2021),[123] Oregon (2012),[124] and Washington (2021).[125] These laws allow for exemption for schools gaining approval agreements with local tribes. To date, Maine is the only state to completely ban Native American-themed mascots.[126]

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) issued a memo in November 2022 requiring schools with a Native American mascot to find a replacement by the end of the 2022-23 school year. Those schools that fail to do so without current approval from a recognized tribe may be in willful violation of the Dignity for All Students Act. The penalties for such a violation include the removal of school officers and the withholding of State Aid.[127][128]

Secondary schools and youth leagues

[edit]

Secondary schools in both the United States and Canada have displayed a range of actions, with some voluntarily changing names or images, while others have kept current mascots. A 2013 analysis of a database indicated that more than 2,000 high schools have mascots that referred to Native American culture.[129] Following a period of extended population growth in both countries over 50 years, this compares to around 3,000 schools with such names at the beginning of that period.[38]

Canada

[edit]

The Department of Educational Foundations at the University of Saskatchewan passed a resolution in 2013 calling for the retirement of all school mascots and logos that depict First Nations people.[130]

In addition to changing their sports mascots, school boards in Ontario in 2016 were considering a ban on students wearing any articles bearing offensive names or logos, whether related to professional or local teams.[131]

Since the early 21st century, the Nepean Redskins Football Club, a minor league youth team operating for 35 years in Ottawa, Ontario, had been asked to change its name.[132] In 2013 Ian Campeau (Ojibway), a musician and activist in Ottawa, filed a human rights complaint against the team on behalf of his five-year-old daughter. Campeau said, "How are they going to differentiate the playing field from the school yard? What's going to stop them from calling my daughter a redskin in the school yard? That's as offensive as using the n-word." Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo said he supported this suit because the word "Redskin" is "offensive and hurtful and completely inappropriate.[133] The team changed its name to the "Nepean Eagles" for the 2014 season; it was chosen from 70 suggestions submitted.[134] Niigaan Sinclair (Anishinaabe), a writer and assistant professor at the University of Manitoba, applauded the team's action. He contrasted it with the insistence at the time of Daniel Snyder, owner of the professional Washington Redskins team in the US, in keeping that name.[135] (Note: The Washington team did change its name in 2020.)

In 2017, the Swift Current Indians baseball club changed its name to the Swift Current 57's.[136]

United States

[edit]

The Oregon State Board of Education voted in 2012 to ban Oregon public schools from using Native Americans as mascots. An exception was made in 2014 to allow schools to keep their mascots if a local federally-recognized tribe agreed. Schools using a "Warriors" mascot were allowed to keep the name if any Native American imagery was changed. Changes made following the policy include The Dalles High School Eagle Indians changing to the "Riverhawks", the Reedsport Community Charter School Braves to the singular "Brave" (as an adjective), and the Mohawk High School Indians to the "Mustangs".[137][138][139]

The city school board in Rutland, Vermont voted in 2020 to drop Rutland High School's "Raiders" name and arrowhead logo.[140] "Ravens" was selected at the new mascot in 2021.[141] In January 2022 the board voted 6-5 to reinstate the Raiders name after a long debate.[142]

In January 2020 the school board of Killingly High School in Connecticut, had a Republican majority. It voted to reinstate the team's "Redmen" mascot.[143] The vote reflects a generational split, as the new school board members represent mainly older alumni in the town. Current students of the public high school, its faculty and Native Americans supported dropping the Redmen mascot. A senior active in the debate said, "We look racist ... this is not what I want our school to be known for."[144] The mascot had been removed after the Nipmuc Tribal Council objected to it, saying that no Native mascots were flattering to Native Americans.[145] In October 2019, "Red Hawks" had been chosen as the new mascot,[146] but after a contentious meeting in December, the School Board decided the school would have no mascot.[147] Renewed discussion of whether the mascot is offensive had begun in June 2019, prompted by a student initiative.[148] The name change was used as a wedge issue in the 2019 municipal elections; there was a record turnout and several Republican victories.[149]

This issue was dealt with differently in Maine, where there was also support for changing such offensive names. In Skowhegan, Maine, where the area high school sports team was named the "Indians", the Penobscot Nation and the ACLU of Maine urged that it be changed. In March 2019 the local School Board voted to eliminate the mascot at Skowhegan Area High School. This was the last school in the state to retire this name.[150] Similarly, at several other schools with sports teams named "Warriors", Native American imagery was removed. By early March 2019, in independent actions through the state, Maine was the first state to eliminate Indigenous mascots in all secondary schools.[151] In keeping with this movement, a bill to ban Native American mascots in all public schools passed the Maine House of Representatives and Senate,[152] and was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills in May 2019. This was another first for the state.[153]

Due to media coverage of the controversy over the prominent Washington Redskins, high schools with the sports teams named Redskins have received particular attention across the country. Three have a majority of Native American students. Advocates for the name suggest that, because some Native Americans use the name to refer to themselves, it is not insulting.[154] But, the principal of Red Mesa High School, a Native American-majority school in Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, said that use of the word outside American Indian communities should be avoided because it could perpetuate "the legacy of negativity that the term has created."[155]

In 2001, the commissioner of the New York State Education Department sent a letter to all New York school boards calling for the elimination of Native American mascots. The Seneca Nation Tribal Council responded with support for the Warrior imagery in the Salamanca school. Other members of the community also wanted to retain it. Some 26% of the Salamanca Central High School students are Native American (primarily Seneca), and its sports teams were called the "Warriors". Since the late 20th century, keeping the Warrior sports identity has resulted in negotiations in Salamanca between the Seneca and non-Seneca populations and actions that have raised general awareness of true Seneca culture. For example, the school logo was changed to accurately depict a Seneca man; this replaced a stereotypical Plains Indian warrior image that had been used prior to 1978.[156]

Port Neches–Groves High School students during a halftime performance in December 2020

The Port Neches–Groves High School "Indian" mascot has garnered controversy for being racist and culturally insensitive. These depictions include the use of the chant "Scalp 'Em", referring to the school's football field as "the reservation", and cheerleaders crafting and wearing ersatz war bonnets, among others.[157] No residents of Port Neches or Groves identify as solely American Indian.[158] The school administration has repeatedly stated they would not change their traditions or mascot, including turning down a general offer from Adidas to provide free design resources and financial assistance to change the imagery.[159][160]

In 2020, the Cherokee Nation called for the school to discontinue its use of the mascot.[158][161] In March 2022, the school's "Indianettes" drill team chanted the phrase "Scalp 'Em" during a performance at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom after being told they would not be allowed to wear their war bonnets.[162][163] Disney released a statement condemning the performance and stating the Indianettes had not been in the school's audition tape.[164][163][165][166] In the wake of the controversy, the Cherokee Nation renewed its demand that the high school drop the mascot and end its Indian-related traditions.[166]

Also taking place in 2022 was the New York State Education Department's decision to require every school district in the state with Native American-themed mascots – or Native American-themed team names (such as "Warriors") – to change them unless receiving approval for an exemption from a state- or federally-recognized tribe; any district which does not comply would risk having state funds withheld and administrators being removed.[167][168][169][170] Many applauded the decision – including several members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation on Long Island – while many others questioned the purpose and constitutionality of the ban.[169][170][171][172] A controversy regarding the ban arose in 2023, when New York state denied the Wyandanch Union Free School District's proposal to retain their "Warriors" nickname while removing the associated images – despite the fact that the proposal in Wyandanch was supported by the Shinnecock Nation.[172] The nearby Massapequa Union Free School District sued around the same time, arguing that the ban is unconstitutional.[169]

Colleges and universities

[edit]
1930 football ticket stub depicting the former Stanford Indian mascot

Some college teams voluntarily changed their names and mascots. Stanford University had "The Stanford Indian" as its mascot from 1930 to 1972. Today Stanford's athletic team identity is built around the "Stanford Cardinal", reflecting the primary school color that has been used from the earliest days, while the unofficial mascot shown on its primary logo is the Stanford Tree.[173] Another early change was the "Saltine Warrior" that represented Syracuse University from 1931 until 1978. After a brief attempt to use a Roman warrior, the mascot became Otto the Orange for the school color. Miami University began discussion regarding the propriety of the Redskins name and images in 1972, and changed its team nickname to RedHawks in 1996.[174]

Although Dartmouth College had not used an Indian mascot for many years, Yale University printed a program for the 2016 game commemorating its 100th game against Dartmouth showing historical program covers featuring depictions of Native Americans that are now viewed as racist.[175]

The Utah Utes of the University of Utah use the Ute name in its athletic organizations with the explicit permission from the Ute Indian Tribe. This permission was reaffirmed in 2020.[176]

National Collegiate Athletic Association

[edit]

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) distributed a "self evaluation" to 31 colleges in 2005, for teams to examine the use of potentially offensive imagery with their mascot choice. Nineteen teams were cited as having potentially "hostile or abusive" names, mascots, or images, that would be banned from displaying them during post-season play, and prohibited from hosting tournaments.[177] Subsequently, all of the colleges previously using Native American imagery changed except for those granted waivers when they obtained official support from individual tribes based upon the principle of tribal sovereignty.[38]

San Diego State University (SDSU) was not cited by the NCAA in 2005 due to a decision that the Aztecs were not a Native American tribe with any living descendants.[178] However, in February 2017 the SDSU Native American Student Alliance (NASA) supported removal of the mascot, calling its continued use "institutional racism" in its official statement to the Committee on Diversity, Equity and Outreach.[179][180] A task force of students, faculty, and alumni was appointed to study the issue and make a recommendation by April 2018.[181] The recommendation was to keep the mascot but take steps to use only respectful references to Aztec culture.[182]

In 2008, the NCAA and the University of North Dakota (UND) agreed to retire the university's Fighting Sioux name unless UND received approval from both the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes by the end of 2010. The Spirit Lake tribal members approved retaining the name, but the Standing Rock tribal council did not allow their members to vote on retaining the name. Therefore, UND selected "Fighting Hawks" as their new nickname in 2015.[183]

The Florida State Seminoles of Florida State University use names and images associated with the Seminole people. The use is by agreement with the Florida Seminole Tribal Council and not the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma which is much larger than the Florida Seminole tribe. The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma "condemns the use of all American Indian sports team mascots in the public school system, by college and university level and by professional teams." The NCAA allows the use even though the NCAA "continues to believe the stereotyping of Native Americans is wrong."[184]

Professional teams

[edit]

Current usage

[edit]
Atlanta Braves
[edit]

The Atlanta Braves continue to use of the tomahawk chop (although it began at Florida State University).[185] In February 2019 after the removal of the Cleveland Indians' Chief Wahoo logo, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said, "The Braves have taken steps to take out the tomahawk chop". In October, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley, a member of the Cherokee Nation, said that the tomahawk chop and chant misrepresents Native Americans.[186] In response to this complaint, the Atlanta Braves, in their October 9 game against the Cardinals, did not provide fans with foam tomahawks, although the music accompanying the chant was played while fans performed the arm gesture.[187] When the Braves lost to the Cardinals 13–1, the San Francisco Bay Area Fox affiliate used the headline "Braves Scalped", drawing criticism as an example of why most Native Americans oppose the use of American Indian imagery and mascots in sports.[188] The station soon apologized.[189] The team front office said in 2019 that there would be talks with Native Americans during the off-season regarding the tomahawk chop tradition, while leaders of two tribes that once inhabited Georgia, the Cherokee and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation agree that the tradition is inappropriate.[190]

The continued performance of the tomahawk chop and war chant by Braves fans was made highly visible nationally by the team's appearance in the 2021 World Series. The Braves were defended by MLB Commissioner Manfred, who referred to the support of the team by Richard Sneed, principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Other Native American leaders around the country continue to describe "the Chop" and its associated fan behavior as deeply insulting while avoiding direct criticism of Sneed. Psychologist Stephanie Fryberg believes personal opinions have little to do with the potential detrimental effects of mascots to Native American youth and communities.[191]

The minor league affiliate Rome Braves was renamed the Rome Emperors, with a penguin mascot, in November 2023.[192]

Chicago Blackhawks
[edit]
Blackhawks jersey worn by Brandon Saad (2014)

It is argued that the Chicago Blackhawks have escaped the scrutiny given to other teams using Native imagery because hockey is not a cultural force in the United States on the level of football. The National Congress of American Indians opposes the Blackhawks' logo, as it does all Native American mascots.[193]

The team's name originates from the nickname applied to the United States Army's 86th Infantry Division, the "Black Hawks"; the nickname originated from prominent Sauk chief Black Hawk, who fought against the United States during the Black Hawk War. Team founder Frederic McLaughlin had served in the division on the Western Front during World War I, where he learned the nickname.[194]

In 2019, the American Indian Center of Chicago ended all ties to the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, stating they will no longer affiliate "with organizations that perpetuate stereotypes through the use of 'Indian' mascots." The AIC said that they "previously held a relationship with the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation with the intention of educating the general public about American Indians and the use of logos and mascots. The AIC, along with members of the community have since decided to end this relationship" and stated that "going forward, AIC will have no professional ties with the Blackhawks, or any other organization that perpetuates harmful stereotypes."[195]

Kansas City Chiefs
[edit]
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Washington Football Team in 2021. Washington eliminated all Native American imagery from its temporary franchise name while Kansas City continues to use the "Chiefs" branding.

In 1963 the Kansas City Chiefs adopted their name when the Dallas Texans (AFL) relocated. "Chiefs" was not a direct reference to Native Americans, but to the nickname of Kansas City mayor Harold Roe Bartle, who was instrumental in bringing the Texans to Kansas City, Missouri. Bartle took his nickname as founder of Tribe of Mic-O-Say, a Boy Scouts honor camping society, in which he was "Chief" Lone Bear.[196] In spite of attempts to downplay Native American associations, fan behavior such as the tomahawk chop and wearing face paint and headdresses drew criticism.[197]

On August 20, 2020, the Chiefs announced that headdresses and Native American–style face paint would be banned at Arrowhead Stadium.[198] The ban went into effect during the 2020 season opener on September 10, 2020.[199] The tomahawk chop also underwent a subtle modification, as Arrowhead-based cheerleaders are now required to lead the chop with a closed fist rather than the traditional open palm. While fans said they will not change their behavior, a Native activist said that the chop should be eliminated entirely.[200] The appearance of the chop in Super Bowl LV focused attention on the Chiefs in 2021 to follow the example set by Washington, Cleveland, and many high schools.[201] A group of two dozen Native Americans from Florida, Kansas City and elsewhere protested in front of the stadium on game day.[202]

Prior usage

[edit]

Several teams changed when they moved to other cities, while others went out of business. The Atlanta Hawks were originally the Tri-Cities Blackhawks (using an "Indian" logo),[203] and the Los Angeles Clippers were originally the Buffalo Braves.

The United States national rugby league team was known as the Tomahawks until 2015. USA Rugby League replaced the American National Rugby League as the sport's governing body in the U.S. and chose the simpler Hawks as the new name for the team.[204]

Cleveland Indians
[edit]
Cleveland Indians player Omar Vizquel wearing a baseball cap showing the image of Chief Wahoo in 1996

On March 21, 2018, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, enacted a ban on Chief Wahoo being featured on future Hall of Fame plaques.[205] This ban immediately went into effect with new Hall of Fame inductee Jim Thome, who was inducted as an Indian without Chief Wahoo's image.[205] Starting in the 2019 season, the Chief Wahoo logo did not appear on uniforms nor on stadium signs, although it was still licensed for team merchandise within the Cleveland area.[206] However, merchandise with Chief Wahoo's image was removed from the team's website.[206] Local groups said they would continue to advocate for a change of the team name, and objected to the continued sale outside the stadium of merchandise with the Wahoo image.[207]

On July 23, 2021, the ball club announced the name would change to the Cleveland Guardians at the end of the 2021 season.[208] The new name was selected with reference to the Guardians of Traffic statues that adorn the Hope Memorial Bridge.[209] The name change was made official on November 19, 2021.[210]

Edmonton Eskimos
[edit]

In part because they did not use any native imagery, the Edmonton Eskimos were rarely mentioned with regard to the controversy.[211] However Natan Obed, the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Canada's national Inuit organization, said in 2015 that "Eskimo is not only outdated, it is now largely considered a derogatory term" and is a "relic of colonial power".[212] The editorial board of the Toronto Star in 2017 saw a name change as the inevitable result of social evolution, and reflecting respect for Indigenous peoples.[213] After a year of considering alternatives, the team decided in February 2020 to retain the name, finding no consensus among Indigenous groups including the Inuit.[214] However, on July 16, 2020, it was reported that the club would drop the 'Eskimos' name.[215] On July 21, the team officially retired the name, and began using "Edmonton Football Team" and "EE Football Team" until a new name was decided.[216] On June 1, 2021, the team was renamed to the Edmonton Elks.[217]

Golden State Warriors
[edit]

The Golden State Warriors eliminated Native American imagery as the team relocated. Originally the Philadelphia Warriors (1946–1962), their logo was a cartoon Native American dribbling a basketball. When they moved to San Francisco, the logo became a Native American headdress (1962–1968). The final elimination of Native imagery occurred with the move to Oakland in 1971.[218]

Washington Redskins
[edit]
photograph of several protesters with signs opposing the use of the name Redskins and the logo of a Native American by the Washington NFL team in Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 2014
Protest against the name of the Washington Redskins in Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 2014

While playing as the Washington Redskins, the Washington Commanders received the most public attention due to the prominence of the team being located in the nation's capital, and the name itself being defined in current dictionaries of American English as "usually offensive",[219] "disparaging",[220][221] "insulting",[222] and "taboo".[223] Native American opposition to the name began in the early 1970s with letters to the owner of the team[224] and the editors of The Washington Post.[225] National protests began in 1988, after the team's Super Bowl XXII victory, and again when the 1992 Super Bowl between the Redskins and the Buffalo Bills was held in Minnesota.[226] Those officially censuring or demanding the name be changed include more than 80 organizations that represent various groups of Native Americans.[227]

In July 2020, amidst the removal of many names and images as part of the George Floyd protests, a group of investors worth $620 billion wrote letters to major sponsors Nike, FedEx and PepsiCo encouraging pressure on the Redskins to change their name.[228][229] FedEx called on the team to change its name on July 2, 2020.[230][231] The same day, Nike removed Redskins apparel from its website.[232][233] On July 3, the league and the franchise announced that it was "undergoing a thorough review of the team name."[234][235] On July 7, it was acknowledged that the Redskins were not in contact with a group of Native Americans who petitioned the NFL to force a name change and that Redskins head coach Ron Rivera also stated the team wanted to continue "honoring and supporting Native Americans and our Military."[236] On July 13, 2020, the team made an official statement that their review would result in the retirement of the Redskins name and logo.[237] On July 23, 2020 the team announced that they would be called the Washington Football Team with a block "W" logo for the 2020 season.[238] The new name, Washington Commanders, was selected on February 2, 2022.[239]

Other issues

[edit]

Stereotyping by rival fans

[edit]

In addition to the behavior displayed by some fans of the teams with Native American names or mascots, their rival fans often invoke racist stereotypes. In December 2013, when the Washington Redskins played the Kansas City Chiefs, an employee of a Sonic Drive-In in Missouri placed a message outside that used scalping, reservations and whiskey to disparage the "Redskins". It was quickly removed with the owner's apologies.[240] A rubber severed "Indian" head impaled on a knife has been used by a sports fan in Philadelphia to taunt rival teams with Native American mascots.[241] There have been a number of incidents of rival high school teams displaying banners or signs referencing the Trail of Tears, which have been criticized for both insensitivity and ignorance of history.[242][243][244][245] Although the Central Michigan Chippewas have the support of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation of Michigan, a student at rival Western Michigan University designed a T-shirt showing a Native American behind bars with the legend "Caught a Chippewa about a week ago". It was quickly condemned by both university presidents, who agreed that anyone wearing the shirt at a game would be ejected.[246]

Varying degrees of offensiveness

[edit]

To further complicate this controversy, many feel that there are varying levels of offensiveness with team names and mascots. The nature and degree of stereotyping varies depending on the name of the team, the logo, the mascot, and the behavior of fans. The greatest offense is taken when the logo and mascot are caricatures viewed as insulting, such as the Cleveland Indians' Chief Wahoo;[247] the name of the team is often regarded as a racial slur, such as Redskins or Squaws,[248] or the behavior of the mascot or fans is based upon popular images of Indians which trivialize authentic native cultures, such as the tomahawk chop.[249]

The practices of individual schools and teams have changed in response to the controversy. A local example is Washington High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Many Native American images have been removed, and the "Warriors" nickname is now claimed to be generic. The school now has a "circle of courage" logo with eagle feathers and has also "updated" the murals of Chief Hollow Horn Bear in the gym. Duane Hollow Horn Bear, the chief's great-grandson, who teaches Lakota language and history at Sinte Gleska University in Mission, stated: "We had no objection to their utilizing those pictures as long as my great-grandfather was represented with honor and dignity." However, not all Native Americans are happy with the presence of any such images.[250]

Teams outside North America

[edit]

Native American names and images are used by teams in other countries, generally those playing American-style sports and copying the imagery of American teams. Several are in countries that also have a tradition of Native American hobbyists often associated with the popularity of the stories written by German author Karl May.[251] In South America there are a number of teams that reference the Guaraní people. In Brazil, these teams may be referred to using the derogatory term bugre.[252]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Anderson, L. V. (September 26, 2012). "Where Did the Tomahawk Chop Come From?". Slate Magazine. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  2. ^ Kilgore, Adam; Stubbs, Roman (July 9, 2020). "To Native American Groups, Redskins Name Is 'Worst Offender.' Now They Hope for More Changes". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  3. ^ "National School Mascot Tracking Database - Overview" (PDF). NCAI. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  4. ^ a b C. Richard King (2010). "Introduction". In C. Richard King (ed.). The Native American Mascot Controversy: A Handbook. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-6731-4.
  5. ^ Stephanie A. Fryberg (September 2008). "Of Warrior Chiefs and Indian Princesses: The Psychological Consequences of American Indian Mascots" (PDF). Basic and Applied Social Psychology. 30 (3): 208. doi:10.1080/01973530802375003. S2CID 55894203.
  6. ^ Davis-Delano, Laurel R.; Gone, Joseph P.; Fryberg, Stephanie A. (September 2, 2020). "The Psychosocial Effects of Native American Mascots: A Comprehensive Review of Empirical Research Findings". Race Ethnicity and Education. 23 (5): 613–633. doi:10.1080/13613324.2020.1772221. ISSN 1361-3324.
  7. ^ "Legislative efforts to eliminate native-themed mascots, nicknames, and logos: Slow but steady progress post-APA resolution". American Psychological Association. August 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  8. ^ "National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media". National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  9. ^ Davis, Laurel R. "The problems with Native American mascots". Multicultural Education. 9 (4): 11–14. ISSN 1068-3844. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  10. ^ a b S.P. Morris (2015). "The Trouble with Mascots". Journal of the Philosophy of Sport. 42 (2): 287–297. doi:10.1080/00948705.2014.997740. S2CID 146500378.
  11. ^ Barbara E. Munson (2010). "2. Teaching Them Respect Not Racism: Common Themes and Questions About the Use of "Indian" Logos". In C. Richard King (ed.). The Native American Mascot Controversy: A Handbook. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-6731-4.
  12. ^ "Native Leaders and Investors Respond to Washington D.C. Football Team Name 'Review'". University of Colorado Boulder. First Peoples Worldwide. July 6, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  13. ^ "Letter to Goodell" (PDF). University of Colorado Boulder. First Peoples Worldwide. July 6, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  14. ^ "Haaland: We Won't Stop Until the Racist Name and Mascot Have Changed". House.gov. July 3, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  15. ^ Deloria, Philip J. (1998). Playing Indian. New Haven: Yale University Press.
  16. ^ Playing Indian. Yale University Press. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  17. ^ Cecily Hilleary (August 5, 2019). "Native Americans to Boy Scouts: Stop Plundering Our Past". Voice of America. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  18. ^ a b c Spindel, Carol (2002). Dancing at Halftime: Sports and the Controversy Over American Indian Mascots. New York: New York University Press. ISBN 9780814781272.
  19. ^ "The Boston Redskins". Sports Ecyclopedia. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  20. ^ "Baseball writers select "Indians" as the best name to apply to the former Naps". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. January 17, 1915. With the going of Nap Lajoie to the Athletics, a new name had to be selected for the Cleveland American league club. President Somers invited the Cleveland baseball writers to make the selection. The title of Indians was their choice, it having been one of the names applied to the old National league club of Cleveland many years ago.
  21. ^ "Looking Backwards". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. January 18, 1915.
  22. ^ Staurowsky, Ellen (December 1998). "An Act of Honor or Exploitation? The Cleveland Indians' Use of the Louis Francis Sockalexis Story". Sociology of Sport Journal. 15 (4): 299. doi:10.1123/ssj.15.4.299.
  23. ^ Posnanski, Joe (March 18, 2014). "The Cleveland Indians, Louis Sockalexis, and The Name". NBC Sports.
  24. ^ "APA Resolution Justifications" (PDF). American Psychological Association. 2005. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  25. ^ Carter Meland; David E. Wilkins (November 22, 2012). "Stereotypes in sports, chaos in federal policy". The Star Tribune. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  26. ^ a b Banks, D. J. (1993). "Tribal Names and Mascots in Sports". Journal of Sport & Social Issues. 17 (1): 5–8. doi:10.1177/019372359301700102. S2CID 144211333.
  27. ^ Hylton, J Gordon (January 1, 2010). "Before the Redskins Were the Redskins: The Use of Native American Team Names in the Formative Era of American Sports, 1857–1933" (PDF). North Dakota Law Review. 86: 879. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 16, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  28. ^ "Ending the Legacy of Racism in Sports & the Era of Harmful Indian Sports Mascots". NCAI. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  29. ^ Martin, Douglas (October 17, 2007). "Vernon Bellecourt, Who Protested the Use of Indian Mascots, Dies at 75". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  30. ^ "Russell Means: A Look at His Journey Through Life". Indian Country Today Media Network.com. October 22, 2012. Archived from the original (Text) on December 28, 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  31. ^ "About - National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media". National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media.
  32. ^ Pewewardy, Cornel (1999). "From enemy to mascot: The deculturation of Indian mascots in sports culture". Canadian Journal of Native Education. 23 (2): 176–189. ISSN 0710-1481. ProQuest 230304174.
  33. ^ Longwell-Grice, Robert; Longwell-Grice, Hope (2003). "Chiefs, Braves, and Tomahawks: The Use of American Indians as University Mascots". NASPA Journal (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, Inc.). 40 (3): 1–12. doi:10.2202/0027-6014.1255. ISSN 0027-6014.
  34. ^ Riley, Angela (2005). "Straight Stealing: Towards an Indigenous System of Cultural Property Protection". Washington Law Review. 80 (69). SSRN 703283.
  35. ^ Dedrick Asante-Muhammad (March 1, 2017). "Beyond Standing Rock: The Native American Economic Experience". The Huffington Post. The U.S. has gained far too much from the marginalization of Native Americans
  36. ^ Dave Zirin (December 19, 2017). "The Washington Redhawks Culture Jam: Jacqueline Keeler joins the show to talk native mascotry" (Podcast). The Nation. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  37. ^ "Native-American Nicknames/Mascots". Red Orbit. June 2, 2005.
  38. ^ a b c "Anti-Defamation and Mascots". National Congress of American Indians. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  39. ^ David Waldstein (August 3, 2020). "Why One Team Named the Indians Won't Be Changing Their Name". The New York Times.
  40. ^ "Indian Mascot Position Statement" (PDF). Society of Indian Psychologists. January 27, 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 31, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  41. ^ Derald Wing Sue (2010). Microaggressions and Marginality: Manifestation, Dynamics, and Impact. John Wiley & Sons. p. 384. ISBN 9780470627204.
  42. ^ a b "Summary of the Resolution Recommending Retirement of American Indian Mascots". American Psychological Association. 2005.
  43. ^ Statement on the Rights and Autonomy of Indigenous Persons (PDF) (Report). NYASP. May 14, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  44. ^ "NASSS Native American Imagery Resolution". North American Society for the Sociology of Sport. October 28, 2005. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  45. ^ "Statement by the Council of the American Sociological Association on Discontinuing the Use of Native American Nicknames, Logos and Mascots in Sport". American Sociological Association. March 6, 2007. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  46. ^ "Opposition to Use of Stereotypical Native American Images as Sports Symbols and Mascots" (PDF). American Counseling Association. 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 15, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  47. ^ "AAA Calls on Sports Organizations to Denounce Inappropriate American Indian Mascots" (PDF) (Press release). March 25, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 4, 2016.
  48. ^ Trujillo, Octaviana (Ph.D.); Alston, Denise (Ph.D.) (2005), A Report on the Status of American Indians and Alaska Natives in Education, National Education Association
  49. ^ Richard E. Besser (May 7, 2018). "Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: We honored sports teams with racist mascots. Not anymore". USA Today. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  50. ^ Fryberg, Stephanie A. (September 2008). "Of Warrior Chiefs and Indian Princesses: The Psychological Consequences of American Indian Mascots". Basic and Applied Social Psychology. 30 (3): 208. doi:10.1080/01973530802375003. S2CID 55894203.
  51. ^ Murphy PAUL, Annie (October 6, 2012). "It's Not Me, It's You". The New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  52. ^ Chaney, John (January 1, 2011). "Do American Indian Mascots = American Indian People? Examining Implicit Bias towards American Indian People and American Indian Mascots". American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research. 18 (1): 42–62. doi:10.5820/aian.1801.2011.42. PMID 21866499.
  53. ^ Kim-Prieto, Chu (March 2010). "Effect of Exposure to an American Indian Mascot on the Tendency to Stereotype a Different Minority Group". Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 40 (3): 534. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2010.00586.x.
  54. ^ Vedantam, Shankar (March 25, 2010). "Native American imagery as sports mascots: A new problem". Psychology Today. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  55. ^ Doug Harlow (April 5, 2017). "KKK flyers in Skowhegan prompt school letters, renewed angst over 'Indians' mascot". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on April 6, 2017.
  56. ^ "NAACP 1999 Resolution". American Indian Sports Team Mascots. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  57. ^ a b c "Statement of the United States Commission on Civil Rights on the use of Native American images and nicknames as sports symbols" (Press release). 2001. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  58. ^ "USA: 'Redskins' Team mascot hurtful reminder of past suffering of Native Americans – UN rights expert". United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014.
  59. ^ Puxley, Chinta (November 15, 2015). "Stop using offensive Indigenous mascots in sports, Justice Murray Sinclair says". The Toronto Star.
  60. ^ Christina Stella (December 17, 2020). "U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Holds Hearings On Native Mascots In Nebraska Schools". NET News. Nebraska PBS & NPR.
  61. ^ Berger, Bethany R. (2009). "Red: Racism and the American Indian" (PDF). UCLA Law Review. 56: 591. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 23, 2015.
  62. ^ "Michigan Department of Civil Rights: Continued Use of American Indian Mascots Hurts Student Achievement". State of Michigan. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  63. ^ Higgins, Lori (June 3, 2013). "Feds toss Michigan complaint to ban Indian mascots for sports teams". The Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on June 5, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  64. ^ "Resolution Adopted by the CCAR: Racism". Central Conference of American Rabbis. 1992. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  65. ^ "Resolution to Establish Formal Relationships with the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media". Unitarian Universalist Association. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  66. ^ "Black caucus joins Native American mascot fight". United Methodist Church. April 4, 2007. Archived from the original on February 4, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  67. ^ Rev. Chebon Kernell (April 5, 2011). "Native American mascots must go: Time to remove them is long passed". United Methodist Church. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  68. ^ "Mascot issue raises specters of racism, idolatry". Worldwide Faith News. March 9, 2001. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  69. ^ "Letter to Goodell and Snyder". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  70. ^ Vargas, Theresa (December 5, 2013). "Faith leaders urge Redskins owner Dan Snyder and NFL to change team's name". The Washington Post.
  71. ^ "Quaker Indian Affairs Call for Redskins to Change Name". Indian Country Today. July 29, 2014. Archived from the original on August 1, 2014.
  72. ^ Moriah Balingit; John Woodrow Cox (February 13, 2015). "Md. private school bans use of the 'R-word' on campus to promote equality". The Washington Post.
  73. ^ Morello, Carol (March 1, 2014). "Churches propose a boycott of Redskins unless the team changes its name". The Washington Post.
  74. ^ "UCC Central Atlantic Conference Passes Resolution Calling for Washington NFL Team Name Change & Calls for Member Boycott". Native News Online. June 15, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  75. ^ Brady, Erik (June 14, 2014). "Church group latest to boycott Redskins over name". USA Today.
  76. ^ Taylor, Scott (June 29, 2015). "Cleveland church calls on Washington Redskins to change name, logo". 19 Action News. Archived from the original on July 26, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  77. ^ Dai, Juntao Doris; Lopez, Julisa J.; Brady, Laura M.; Eason, Arianne E.; Fryberg, Stephanie A. (August 4, 2021). "Erasing and dehumanizing Natives to protect positive national identity: The Native mascot example". Social and Personality Psychology Compass. 15 (9). doi:10.1111/spc3.12632. hdl:2027.42/170309. S2CID 238812094.
  78. ^ Daniella Zalcman (September 9, 2021). "Will U.S. schools follow the big leagues and leave behind Native American mascots?". National Geographic. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Even as professional teams shed 'Indian' themed mascots or names, more than 1,000 K-12 schools continue to use Native 'themed' logos.
  79. ^ "More than Mascots: It's Time to End Cultural Appropriation of Native Americans in Sports". Nielson.com. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  80. ^ "OVERSIGHT HEARING on Stolen Identities: The Impact of Racist Stereotypes on Indigenous People". United States Senate. May 5, 2011. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  81. ^ "Native American Mascot Controversy Takes Center Stage at the National Museum of the American Indian". Smithsonian Institution. December 24, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  82. ^ Fabian, Jordan (November 5, 2015). "Obama: Teams should drop Native American mascots". The Hill.
  83. ^ Beth Jacobson (2003). "The Social Psychology of the Creation of a Sports Fan Identity: A Theoretical Review of the Literature". Athletic Insight - The Online Journal of Sports Psychology. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  84. ^ "Letter from Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder to fans". The Washington Post. October 9, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  85. ^ Eric Simons (January 30, 2015). "The psychology of why sports fans see their teams as extensions of themselves". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  86. ^ a b c Emert, Phyllis Raybin (2003). "Native American Mascots: Racial Slur or Cherished Tradition?" (PDF). Respect (Newsletter). 2 (2 (Winter 2003)). New Jersey State Bar Foundation. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 3, 2011.
  87. ^ "Mascots are a matter of respect". ESPN. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  88. ^ Farnell, Brenda (2010). "Choreographing Colonialism in the American West" (PDF). Journal for the Anthropological Study of Human Movement. 14 (3). In 1915, the Order of the Arrow, a national Scout camping fraternity, was founded in which ceremonies of initiation were based on 'Indian themes' and local lodges and chapters were given 'Indian names.' The first three individuals who portrayed Illiniwek (Lester Leutwiler, Webber Borchers, and William Newton) became interested in 'Indian lore' through their involvement with the Boy Scouts. They spent time 'Playing Indian' (Deloria 1998) at summer camp, learning so-called Indian dances as well as arts and crafts from Ralph Hubbard, a renowned enthusiast who traveled widely in the United States and Europe producing 'Indian pageants'.
  89. ^ Christine Des Garennes (May 7, 2013). "Peoria tribe leader doesn't back Chief return". News-Gazette. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  90. ^ W. James Antle III (November 13, 2013). "Redskins: A Manufactured Controversy". The National Interest.
  91. ^ Rich Lowry (October 8, 2013). "Liberals Fabricate Outrage Over 'Redskins': The team name is an anachronism, but a harmless one". National Review.
  92. ^ Dennis Prager (August 13, 2013). "The Left vs. the Redskins: Teaching people to take offense is one of the Left's black arts". National Review.
  93. ^ "California high school's Arab mascot draws ire". USA Today. November 7, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  94. ^ Kelman, Brett (September 10, 2014). "'Mighty Arab' takes its place at Coachella Valley High". The Desert Sun.
  95. ^ Jason S. Parini (March 6, 2013). "Should the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Leprechaun Logo Be Banned by the NCAA?". The Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  96. ^ Cassidy McDonald (October 9, 2014). "Is "Fighting Irish" Offensive?". University of Notre Dame Scholastic. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  97. ^ "Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Traditions: The Leprechaun". University of Notre Dame Athletics. Archived from the original on December 1, 2007.
  98. ^ Fearon, James (2003). "Ethnic and Cultural Diversity by Country" (PDF). Journal of Economic Growth. 8 (2): 195–222. doi:10.1023/A:1024419522867. S2CID 152680631. Ireland has an ethnic fractionalization score of 0.171, meaning that there is only a 17.1% chance that two randomly selected people in Ireland will be from different ethnic groups.
  99. ^ Sharp, Gwen (October 5, 2008). "Sociological Images". The Society Pages. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  100. ^ "NCAA: UNCP will keep the Braves". University of North Carolina at Pembroke. August 9, 2005. Archived from the original on December 22, 2005. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  101. ^ "Member institutions". Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  102. ^ "About Us/History". Pembroke Middle School. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  103. ^ "Overview". Pembroke Middle School. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  104. ^ Specht, Sanne (May 18, 2012). "State bans Native American mascots". Mail Tribune. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  105. ^ "The Financial Impact of Mascots on Sports Brands". Emory University. December 19, 2013. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  106. ^ Henry DeVries. "Why Maine Banning Indian Mascots Is A Marketing Wake Up Call". Forbes. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  107. ^ S.L. Price (March 4, 2002). "The Indian Wars". Sports Illustrated. pp. 66–71.
  108. ^ C. Richard King; Ellen J. Staurowsky; Lawrence Baca; Laurel R. Davis; Cornel Pewewardy (November 2002). "Of Polls and Race Predudice". Journal of Sport and Social Issues. 26 (4): 381. doi:10.1177/0193732502238255. S2CID 145147685.
  109. ^ King, C. Richard. The Native American Mascot Controversy: A Handbook p.268. (ISBN 978-0-8108-6732-1). Peter Harris Research Group. (2002) Methodology for Sports Illustrated survey on the use of Indian nicknames, mascots, etc. Document produced by The Peter Harris Research Group and shared with Ellen Staurowsky in January 2003.
  110. ^ "Some collected materials about the NCAA's decision to ban Indian sports mascots from the Indianapolis area". Indiana University. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  111. ^ Charles Springwood (February 2004). "'I'm Indian Too!': Claiming Native American Identity, Crafting Authority in Mascot Debates". Journal of Sport and Social Issues. 28 (1): 56. doi:10.1177/0193732503261477. S2CID 145233598.
  112. ^ Reyes, Lorenzo (December 29, 2020). "Maine remains only state to fully ban Native American mascots. Why haven't others followed?". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  113. ^ "Native Mascots Become a National Controversy". Miami University of Ohio. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  114. ^ Schilling, Vincent (July 28, 2016). "Social Media Blasts Lake Erie Warriors Over Racist Logo". Indian Country Today.
  115. ^ Lukas, Paul (July 30, 2016). "Lake Erie Warriors Renamed Lake Erie Eagles (probably)". Uni-Watch.
  116. ^ "Rulebook Update". Little League International. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  117. ^ "NCAI Applauds Decision by Little League International to Ban Racially Offensive Team Names and Mascots". Alaska Native News. January 11, 2019.
  118. ^ Paul Ohanian (February 7, 2019). "US Lacrosse Position Statement on Native American Mascots". US Lacrosse. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  119. ^ Blad, Evie (November 28, 2022). "More States Push Schools to Drop Native American Mascots". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  120. ^ "AB-30 School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act". California Legislative Information. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  121. ^ Saja Hindi (June 4, 2021). "Colorado lawmakers vote to ban American Indian mascots in public schools". The Denver Post. SB21-116 is headed to the governor's desk and would make Colorado fifth state to get rid of derogatory mascots
  122. ^ "Use of American Indian Mascots, Nicknames, and Logos" (PDF). Michigan Board of Education. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  123. ^ Sam Metz (June 4, 2021). "Nevada Bans Racially Offensive Mascots and 'Sundown Sirens'". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press.
  124. ^ "State Board of Education Bans Use of Native American Mascots". Oregon State Department of Education. Archived from the original on February 5, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  125. ^ Tom Banse (April 26, 2021). "Native-themed school mascots on borrowed time in Washington state — unless nearby tribe approves". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  126. ^ Alex Acquisto (May 16, 2019). "Mills signs bill to make Maine the first state to ban Native American school mascots". Bangor Daily News.
  127. ^ "Use of Native American Mascots" (PDF). New York State Education Department. November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  128. ^ "The Dignity for All Students Act". NYSED.gov. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  129. ^ Munguia, Hayley (September 5, 2014). "The 2,128 Native American Mascots People Aren't Talking About". fivethirtyeight.com. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  130. ^ "Staff at Saskatchewan university calls for end of First Nations logos, mascots". CTV News. November 16, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  131. ^ Rushowy, Kristin (February 24, 2016). "School boards onside with move to ban 'racist logos'". The Toronto Star.
  132. ^ staff (January 13, 2014). "Redskins name scrapped by Ottawa minor football club". CBC News.
  133. ^ MacNeil, Jason (September 4, 2013). "Nepean Redskins Human Rights Complaint: A Tribe Called Red Member Takes Football To Tribunal". HuffPost Canada Music.
  134. ^ "Nepean Redskins says changing its 'controversial' name to cost about $100Gs". Sun News. January 14, 2014. Archived from the original on February 13, 2015.
  135. ^ Sinclair, Niigaan (January 4, 2014). "No 'honour' in native names". Winnipeg Free Press.
  136. ^ Huffman, Alexa (January 10, 2017). "Swift Current baseball team changes name from "Indians" to "57's"". Global News. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  137. ^ "State Board of Education Bans Use of Native American Mascots". Oregon State Board of Education. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  138. ^ "Appendix C: Native American Mascots in Oregon" (PDF). Oregon State Board of Education. March 8, 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  139. ^ Arnold, Jake (June 22, 2017). "Four school districts win approval of Native American mascots". Oregon School Boards Association. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  140. ^ "Rutland schools ditch 'Raiders' mascot". WCAX. October 21, 2020.
  141. ^ Jim Sabataso (February 11, 2021). "Board approves Ravens as new mascot". The Rutland Herald.
  142. ^ Sabataso, Jim (January 12, 2022). "Board votes to reinstate 'Raiders'". Rutland Herald.
  143. ^ Antonia Noori Farzan (January 10, 2020). "Getting rid of 'Redmen' sparked an uproar. So school officials voted to reinstate the 'demeaning' team name". The Washington Post.
  144. ^ Aaron Randle (January 11, 2020). "Officials Called 'Redmen' a Racist Mascot. Then Voters Weighed In". The New York Times.
  145. ^ John Penney. "Native American tribe reiterates opposition to Killingly Redmen symbol; mascot will be changed". Norwich Bulletin. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  146. ^ Stephen Beale (October 8, 2019). "Mascot pick sent to BOE". The Bulletin.
  147. ^ Shawnte Passmore; Courtney Zieller; Caitlin Nuclo; Rob Polansky (December 10, 2019). "Killingly High School is mascot-less following meeting". WFSB.
  148. ^ Anna Maria Della Costa (June 11, 2019). "Redmen mascot racist? Community weighs in". Norwich Bulletin.
  149. ^ Eliza Fawcett (December 1, 2019). "In Killingly, a debate over the high school mascot leads to a political reckoning". Hartford Courant.
  150. ^ Doug Harlow (March 7, 2019). "Skowhegan schools become last in Maine to retire 'Indians' nickname". Portland Press Herald.
  151. ^ The Associated Press (March 8, 2019). "Last Maine high school to use 'Indians' retires the nickname". The Boston Herald.
  152. ^ "State of Maine Legislature - Summary of LD 944". State of Maine Legislature. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  153. ^ Alex Acquisto (May 16, 2019). "Mills signs bill to make Maine the first state to ban Native American school mascots". Bangor Daily News.
  154. ^ Reilly, Rick (September 18, 2013). "Have the people spoken?". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 19, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  155. ^ Peirano, Michelle (May 1, 2013). "In debate over Redskins name, is the 'R-word' for racism or respect?". Cronkite News. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  156. ^ Taylor, Michael (2011). "THE SALAMANCA WARRIORS: A Case Study of an 'Exception to the Rule.'". Journal of Anthropological Research. 67 (2): 245–265. doi:10.3998/jar.0521004.0067.205. JSTOR 41303285. S2CID 147397834.
  157. ^ Brent, Kim (July 7, 2019). "Handmade headdresses a labor of love for Indianettes". Beaumont Enterprise. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  158. ^ a b Reporter, CHAD HUNTER (August 27, 2020). "CN calls for retirement of Texas school's Indian mascot". cherokeephoenix.org. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  159. ^ Libardi, Manuella (November 10, 2015). "PN-G responds to Adidas' offer to change Indian mascot". Beaumont Enterprise. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  160. ^ Windes, Isaac; Faye, Matt; Brent, Kim (July 9, 2020). "PN-G not budging as Cherokee chief demands removal of Indian mascot". Beaumont Enterprise.
  161. ^ Edwards, Schaefer (August 11, 2020). "Port Neches-Groves High's Cheerleaders Yell "Scalp 'em!" While Others Call Foul". Houston Press. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  162. ^ "'Indianettes' Drill Team Not Allowed to Wear War Bonnets, But Are Allowed to Chant 'Scalp 'Em' During Magic Kingdom Performance". WDW News Today. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  163. ^ a b Skinner, Paige. "A Texas High School Drill Team Is Being Criticized For Doing A Racist Chant Against Native Americans During A Disney World Routine". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  164. ^ "Disney sorry about performance by Texas high school drill team". Tampa Bay Times. Associated Press. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  165. ^ Maruf, Ramishah. "Disney said it regrets racist cheer by high school team". CNN. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  166. ^ a b Nguyen, Rosie (March 24, 2022). "Port Neches-Groves High School faces backlash following controversial Disney World performance". ABC13 Houston. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  167. ^ "NYS education department requiring schools change Native American mascots". NEWS10 ABC. November 18, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  168. ^ "NYS tells schools to ditch 'racist' Native American mascots or risk state funding". New York Post. November 18, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  169. ^ a b c "Massapequa school district files lawsuit claiming Native American mascot ban is unconstitutional". Newsday. September 22, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  170. ^ a b Moore, Kathleen (November 18, 2022). "All Native American mascots and nicknames must go, New York says". Times Union. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  171. ^ "Shinnecock tribal leader debunks arguments opposing the mascot ban". WSHU. April 21, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  172. ^ a b "Shinnecock Nation open to Wyandanch keeping Warriors name, but state says it's too late for exemptions". Newsday. May 11, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  173. ^ "Color: Stanford Identity Toolkit". Stanford University. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  174. ^ "Mascot Story". Miami University. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  175. ^ Rao, Manasa (October 10, 2016). "Football programs criticized for racist imagery". Yale Daily News.
  176. ^ "Memorandum of Understanding between the Ute Indian Tribe and the University of Utah". Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  177. ^ Schwarb, Amy. "Where Pride Meets Prejudice". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  178. ^ Schrotenboer, Brent (August 6, 2005). "NCAA puts limited ban on Indian mascots: Postseason policy doesn't hit Aztecs". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  179. ^ Allyson Myers (February 27, 2017). "Native American Student Alliance proposes removal of Aztec mascot". The Daily Aztec.
  180. ^ "NASA 2016-2017 Mascot Statement". Native American Student Alliance. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  181. ^ Kirk Kenney (January 19, 2018). "SDSU president assembling task force to review Aztec mascot, moniker". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  182. ^ Peyton Antil (October 23, 2019). "SDSU should celebrate Aztec culture". The Daily Aztec.
  183. ^ "Fighting Hawks selected as new nickname for the University of North Dakota". North Dakota Fighting Hawks. November 18, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  184. ^ Zirin, Dave (January 7, 2014). "The Florida State Seminoles: The Champions of Racist Mascots". The Nation.
  185. ^ "The history of the tomahawk chop". Major League Baseball. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  186. ^ Jake Russell; Jacob Bogage (October 5, 2019). "Cardinals pitcher calls Braves' tomahawk chop 'disappointing' and 'disrespectful'". The Washington Post.
  187. ^ Des Bieler (October 9, 2019). "Braves shelve foam tomahawks 'out of respect' for Cardinals pitcher". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  188. ^ Levi Rickert (October 10, 2019). "SF Bay Area FOX Station on Atlanta Loss: "Braves Scalped"". Native News Online. Archived from the original on October 11, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  189. ^ Natalie O'Neill (October 10, 2019). "News station apologizes for 'racially insensitive' Braves headline after loss to Cardinals". The New York Post.
  190. ^ Johnny Edwards (October 13, 2019). "Braves team to talk with Native Americans about future of ritual". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  191. ^ Kilgore, Adam; Janes, Chelsea (October 28, 2021). "The 'tomahawk chop' lives on in Atlanta. Now it has the World Series spotlight". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  192. ^ Crosby, Lindsay (November 16, 2023). "Rome Braves, High-A affiliate of the Braves, announce new identity as the Emperors". Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  193. ^ Keilman, John (June 19, 2013). "Protests rare over Blackhawks' name, logo: While critics say use of Indian mascots perpetuates outdated image, hockey club says it has mutually beneficial ties with local community". Chicago Tribune.
  194. ^ "A brief history: Chicago Blackhawks". NHL.com/Blackhawks. NHL Enterprises, LP. August 8, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  195. ^ "Statement: AIC ends ties with Chicago Blackhawks Foundation". American Indian Center - Chicago. July 8, 2019. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  196. ^ Vincent Schilling (September 19, 2019). "How the Kansas City Chiefs got their name and the Boy Scout Tribe of Mic-O-Say". Ict News.
  197. ^ Dave Caldwell (February 1, 2020). "The True Tale Of The Original Kansas City Chief". Forbes.
  198. ^ Michael Levenson (August 20, 2020). "Kansas City Chiefs Ban Headdresses at Stadium". The New York Times.
  199. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs nix headdresses, face paint as team prepares to start NFL season". KTLA. Associated Press. September 10, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  200. ^ Aguilar, Leslie (September 10, 2020). "Chiefs fans react to changes regarding tomahawk chop, headdresses". KCTV5.
  201. ^ Liz Clarke (February 5, 2021). "The NFL's pledge to fight racism has a blind spot, Native groups say: the Chiefs' name". The Washington Post.
  202. ^ Margo Snipe; Natalie Weber (February 7, 2021). "'We're not mascots': Indigenous-led Super Bowl protest decries Chiefs mascot". Tampa Bay Times. The Kansas City Star.
  203. ^ "Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1946–1951)". Sports Ecyclopedia. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  204. ^ "Hawks swoop in for new USA National Team Name". USA Rugby League. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  205. ^ a b "Thome HOF plaque won't feature Chief Wahoo". ESPN.com. March 21, 2018.
  206. ^ a b Waldstein, David (2018). "Cleveland Indians Will Abandon Chief Wahoo Logo Next Year". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  207. ^ Nick Pedone (July 9, 2019). "As the All-Star Game Goes on Without Chief Wahoo, Local Groups Say They'll Continue Pushing for Indians to Change Name". The Cleveland Scene. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  208. ^ "Cleveland announces name change to Guardians". ESPN.com. July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  209. ^ Michael Shapiro (July 23, 2021). "Here's Why Cleveland Chose 'Guardians' for New Team Name". Sports Illustrated.
  210. ^ Bell, Mandy (November 19, 2021). "Guardians era officially arrives in Cleveland". MLB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  211. ^ Kwong, Matt (June 20, 2014). "Washington Redskins fight could put pressure on Edmonton Inuit". CBC.
  212. ^ Obed, Natan (November 27, 2015). "Attention Edmonton Eskimos: Inuit are not mascots". The Globe and Mail.
  213. ^ Star Editorial Board (November 26, 2017). "Edmonton's Eskimos should get with the times and change their name". Toronto Star. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  214. ^ "Eskimos decide to keep name in wake of calls to change it". Edmonton Sun. February 14, 2020.
  215. ^ "Eskimos make internal decision to change team name: report". 3DownNation. July 16, 2020.
  216. ^ "Edmonton Football Team Discontinues Use Of The Name Eskimos". Edmonton Football Team. July 21, 2020.
  217. ^ Des Bieler (June 1, 2021). "Edmonton's CFL team changes name to Elks after dropping Eskimos". The Washington Post.
  218. ^ Garrett Parker (April 6, 2019). "The History and Evolution of The Golden State Warriors Logo". Money, Inc. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  219. ^ "Definition of REDSKIN". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved November 7, 2014. Definition of REDSKIN (usually offensive): american indian
  220. ^ The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2014. n. Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a Native American.
  221. ^ "Redskin". Dictionary.com. Retrieved November 7, 2014. noun, Slang: Often Disparaging and Offensive. 1. a North American Indian.
  222. ^ "definition of redskin". RANDOM HOUSE KERNERMAN WEBSTER'S College Dictionary. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  223. ^ "Definition of redskin". Collins English Dictionary.
  224. ^ Hiatt, Fred (September 21, 2014). "Moving beyond the 'imaginary Indians' perception". The Washington Post.
  225. ^ Steinberg, Dan (June 3, 2014). "The Great Redskins Name Debate of ... 1972?". The Washington Post.
  226. ^ "2,000 at Metrodome protest Indian mascots". The New York Times. January 27, 1992.
  227. ^ "Supporters of Change". Change the Mascot. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  228. ^ McDonald, Scott (July 1, 2020). "Washington Redskins Urged to Lose Name, or Millions in Sponsorships". Newsweek. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  229. ^ "First Peoples Worldwide Leads Investors' Call for NFL Washington Team Name Change". Colorado.edu (Press release). June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  230. ^ "FedEx requests Washington Redskins to change team name". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  231. ^ Clarke, Liz (July 2, 2020). "FedEx calls on Redskins to change name following investors' demands on sponsors". Washington Post.
  232. ^ "Nike pulls Washington Redskins apparel from its website amid team name controversy". WITI (TV). July 3, 2020.
  233. ^ Grimes, Prince J. (July 2, 2020). "Nike removes Redskins name, apparel from its website". NBCSports.com. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  234. ^ "Washington Redskins to undergo thorough review of team's name". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises. July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  235. ^ Lantry, Lauren (July 3, 2020). "Washington Redskins, under pressure from corporate sponsors, reviewing name". ABCNews.go.com. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  236. ^ Roman Stubbs (July 7, 2020). "As Redskins conduct name review, Native American groups say they haven't heard from team". The Washington Post.
  237. ^ "Statement From The Washington Redskins Football Team". Redskins.com. July 13, 2020.
  238. ^ Carpenter, Les; Maske, Mark (July 23, 2020). "NFL franchise to go by 'Washington Football Team' this season, delaying permanent name change". The Washington Post.
  239. ^ Jhabvala, Nicki (February 2, 2022). "Washington Football Team announces 'Commanders' as its new name". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  240. ^ Benjamin Freed (December 9, 2013). "Sonic Drive-In Apologizes for Incredibly Racist "Redskins" Sign: A roadside sign even more awful than the team's on-field performance". Washingtonian. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  241. ^ Adrienne J. Keene (June 5, 2010). "Thanks for the severed head. You proved my point". Native Appropriations. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  242. ^ Bleier, Evan (November 19, 2013). "McAdory High School in Alabama apologizes for 'Trail of Tears' sign". UPI.
  243. ^ Murphy, Tim (November 21, 2013). "Here's Another High School Football Team Promoting the "Trail of Tears"". Mother Jones.
  244. ^ Horne, Erik (August 30, 2014). "OSU football: 'Trail of Tears' College GameDay sign condemned by university". News OK.
  245. ^ Burk, Timothy (October 29, 2016). "Cheerleaders Display "Trail Of Tears" Banner Before Game Against Team With Indian Mascot". Deadspin.
  246. ^ "WMU, CMU presidents offer swift action following t-shirt controversy". WWMT-TV. November 22, 2014.
  247. ^ "Coalition Of Religious Investors Fight Baseball Team Logo". Catholic Culture. July 10, 1997. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  248. ^ "Squaws are region runner-ups:host first round of state Friday". The Dodge County News Online. February 15, 2017. Archived from the original on March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  249. ^ Bates, Mike (May 1, 2013). "Yeah, the "Tomahawk Chop" bugs me. Here's why". SB Nation.
  250. ^ Whitney, Stu (January 17, 2015). "Does Washington High have nickname problem?". Argus Leader.
  251. ^ Andrew Keh (May 7, 2018). "Tomahawk Chops and Indian Mascots: In Europe, Teams Don't See a Problem". The New York Times.
  252. ^ Calum Trenaman (January 18, 2021). "Global sport's problem with the appropriation of Indigenous culture". CNN.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Guiliano, Jennifer (2015). Indian Spectacle: Mascots and the Anxiety of Modern America. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
  • King, C. Richard, guest editor. "Re/claiming Indianness: Critical Perspectives on Native American Mascots." Journal of Sport and Social Issues 28, no. 1 (February 2004). www.sagepub.com/ejournals
  • King, C. Richard, and Charles Fruehling Springwood (2001). Beyond the Cheers: Race as Spectacle in College Sport. SUNY Series on Sport, Culture, and Social Relations. State University of New York Press.
  • King, C. Richard, and Charles Fruehling Springwood, eds. (2001). Team Spirits: The Native American Mascots Controversy. Foreword by Vine Deloria Jr. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
  • Remillard, Arthur. "Holy War on the Football Field: Religion and the Florida State University Mascot Controversy." Horsehide, Pigskin, Oval Tracks, and Apple Pie: Essays on Sports and American Culture. Edited by James Vlasich. McFarland, 2005.
  • Jeffrey Ian Ross Ph, D. (October 28, 2013). American Indians at Risk [2 volumes]. Abc-Clio. ISBN 9780313397653.
[edit]

Films

[edit]