The Indian Mascot

Katie Morris

School Board Blues Clip

• Oakland Warriors

• Atlanta Braves

• Kansas City Chiefs

• Washington Redskins

• Cleveland Indians

• Chicago Blackhawks

What’s the Controversy?

While some individuals view the use of Native American images as mascots to be depicting

heroism, others argue the use of such images as promoting a negative stereotype, one that is

offensive, demeaning and insensitive and thus should not be used

Arguments Defending Use of Native Americans

• Use as a mascot is paying homage

• Meant to be respectful

• Natives are depicted as brave fighters

• Its an honor an aims to symbolize the greatness of a people

Arguments Against Use of Native Americans as Mascots

• “breeds insensitivity”• perpetuates negative stereotypes• Unfair and racist

Teach respect , not racism

Based on research, the American

Psychological Association (APA) recommended the immediate retirement of American Indian Mascots,

Symbols, Images and Personalities by Schools, Colleges, Universities, Athletic Teams and

Organizations

They concluded that use of such images:

• Undermines the education experience of members of all communities, especially those who have little to no contact with indigenous people

•Establishes an unwelcome and sometimes hostile learning environment for American Indian students that affirms negative images/sterotypes that are promoted in mainstream society

•Has a negative impact on self-esteem of American Indian children

•Undermines the ability of American Indian Nations to portray accurate and respectful images of their culture, spirituality and traditions

•May be a violation of the civil rights of American Indian people

•Is a form of discrimination against indigenous Nations that can lead to negative relations between groups

Background• 1968 -National Congress of American Indians initiated a campaign to rid

the media of images they regarded as promoting negative stereotypes

• 1969 -Dartmouth College changes nickname from Indians to Big Green

• 1988- Saint Mary’s College changes their mascot from Red Men to Cardinals

• 1989- Charlene Teters, a graduate student attending University of Illinois, begins efforts to eliminate the school’s Chief Illiniwek mascot

• 1991- The National Education Associate (NEA) passes resolutions denouncing the use of ethnic related sports team mascots, symbols and nicknames

• 1991- Some protesting at Super bowl XXVi where the Buffalo Bills played the Washington Redskins

• 1992- 7 Native Americans filed a lawsuit against the Washington Redskins and petitioned U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for cancellation of federal registrations for Redskins

• 1993- National Congress of American Indians issues a resolution denouncing the use of Native American Names to be used as team mascots

• 1994- Marquette University adopted Golden Eagles as their mascot in place of Warriors

• 1995- St. Johns changes nickname from Redmen to Redstorm• 1997- Jay Rosenstein’s documentary “In Whose Honor” airs on PBS

Charlene Teter

February 21, 2007

Chief Illiniwek’s Last Dance

Controversy at the University of Illinois

• 1998- The Los Angeles Board of Education consolidates school district moves to eliminate “Indian” related mascots from four schools in is jurisdiction

• 1998- 200 anti-”Indian” mascot activists from around the county meet at the University of Illinois for the first national Conference on the Elimination of Racist Mascots

• 1999- Crayola changes the name of the “Indian red” color crayon

• 1999- NCAA’s Minority Opportunities and Interest Committee decides that Indian Mascots do not comply with the NCAA’s commitment to ethnic student welfare

Eventually, in 2005, they proclaimed that any school with a nickname or logo considered racially or ethnically "hostile" or

"abusive" would be prohibited from use during postseason events. Mascots will not be allowed to perform at tournament games, band members and cheerleaders will also be barred

from using American Indians on their uniforms beginning in 2008

Other Supporting Organizations

• Advocates for American Indian Children • The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians• American Counseling Association • American Indian Language and Culture

Education • American Indian Movement• American Jewish Committee• American Psychological Association • American Sociological Society • Asian American Journalists Association• Association on American Indian Affairs• Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized

Tribes • Modern Language Association• Morning Star Institute

• NAACP• National Association of Black Journalists• National Association of Hispanic

Journalists• National Coalition on Racism in Sports

and the Media• National Conference of Christians and

Jews• National Conference for Community and

Justice• National Congress of American Indians• National Education Association• National Indian Education Association• Native American Journalists Association• Rainbow Coalition• United Church of Christ• United Methodist Church• United States Commission on Civil Rights

Bibliography