Wild Rivers Teaching American History Project

When I originally opened the link for Wild River Teaching American history Project I was captivated by the content of a teaching syllabus for the "Federal Indian Policy: Historical Roots and 19th Century Policies" It mirrored most of the subject matter we are covering in our class a very in depth focused view of the History and Policy effects on the Native Americans. I then looked at the other lesson plans and observed the title "Indian Mascots, Symbols and Names in Sports" That is the controversy I wanted to explore!

 

The lesson explains the term Mascot as “a person, animal, or object used as a symbol to represent a group (such as a sports team) and to bring good luck."[1] When associated with sports they state the mascot brings fans pride and team identity.

The following photos are presented for discussion

 [2]

Are the images objectionable, are some more objectionable than others, Why do Native Americans object to the mascots, why do other people object to the mascots?

The following cartoon is used to distinguish perceptions of why Indians may object to mascots.

[3]

 In 1968 a formal effort was began by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) who argued

Racism permeated the use of stereotypical and derogatory mascots that depicted Indians as inferior, foolish, and violent and that mocked Natives’ appearances, dress, cultures, and religions. they further argued mascots, either idealized or emphasized comical facial features and "native" dress ranging from body-length feathered (usually turkey) headdresses to more subtle fake buckskin attire and skimpy loincloths. Some teams and supporters displayed counterfeit native objects that included tomahawks, feathers, facial paints, symbolic drums and pipes, as well as used mock-Indigenous behaviors, such as the "tomahawk chop," dances, chants, drumbeating, war-whooping and symbolic scalping[4]

[5] This cartoon was used to demonstrate how Indians felt about the mascots and how people of other nationalities may react if they were depicted or how others may feel if their religious symbolism were to be used. Other questions are: what is the effect of retiring a 30 year old mascot? How come Indians are the only group of people in the US depicted as mascots?

Does the Indian Nation as a whole support the removal of Indian Mascots and if they do not does it minimize the efforts of those who do?

The following you tube clips depict the passion expressed in disagreement and arguments over the contemplation of changing mascot images and the name of Galt High School in California;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_ncdvRLmmI , [6]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNSLoKgkuXQ [7]

In the early 1970’s many Universities and Colleges because of pressure from the Native American Community began changing their names or disbanded the use of Indian Mascots. Some persistent efforts took up to 37 years such as the retirement of The University of Illinois at Champagne-Urbana mascot Chief Illiniwek. Many schools use the argument they are honoring the Indian Nations that originally inhabited the land upon which the Universities reside. In 2005 the NCAA took a bold stand and instructed that beginning February 2006

any school with a nickname or logo considered racially or ethnically "hostile" or "abusive" by the NCAA would be prohibited from using them in post-season events. Mascots would no longer be allowed to perform at tournament games. Further, beginning in 2008, band members and cheerleaders would also be barred from using American Indians on their uniforms.[8]

The NCAA did grant an exception to Florida State University citing their unique relationship with the Seminole tribe. The Seminole tribe of Florida has sanctioned the use of the Florida State Logo Chief Osceola and considers it an honor to be associated with the University. However some members of The Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma do not endorse the use of the logo and mascot, or name. [9]

 

 

Many High Schools throughout the nation have changed names, some refuse to do so and some States Minneapolis, California, Colorado, and Wisconsin have introduced legislation to address the issue. Wisconsin’s efforts reduced the number of schools using Indian mascots from 70 to 36.

To complicate matters  in 2010 Stilwell HS in Cherokee Nation unveiled a new mascot “ It has a large head, long black hair in braids and exaggerated American Indian facial features such as a scowl, large nose and bushy eyebrows, and is dressed in a fake buckskin shirt and leggings.” [10] The students selected the mascot as a symbol of the pride in their Indian heritage

In the 1990’s Professional Sports became the focus of use of Native American Mascots .  representatives of teams using Indians argue the following points

·         professional teams are private entities and, therefore, are entitled to use a name, symbol, or mascot of their own choosing;

·         Indian references in sports are actually used in reverence and honor; and

·         Indian references are an important tradition to the fans, so much so that fans would never accept the change.[11]

A comparison is made neither between the Atlanta Braves who in their History were not always the Braves nor always from Atlanta, and the Cleveland Indians. The Braves originated in Boston, Moved to Milwaukee and eventually settled in Atlanta, In 1936 they changed their name from the Braves to the Bees and five years later returned to the Braves and their Indian references. They used the Indian references as a promotion for entertainment purposes. The Cleveland Indians claim their name originated to honor the first American Indian to play Major League baseball  in the 1 late 1800’s. Historians dispute this as they could not verify any of the information. The Indians also changed their name around the early 1900’s to the Naps, but returned to the name Indians after a contest run by a Cleveland newspaper had fans select the name. In the 1940s the symbol of Chief Wahoo appeared in A Cleveland newspaper as a caricature and was adopted as a symbol of the team and worn on their sleeves.

[12]  The most dramatic and offensive use of these “traditions” occurred during the 1995 World Series games, pitting the Atlanta Braves against the Cleveland Indians. In response, many “real” Cleveland Indians increased their protest activities with support from outside Ohio. As the World Series progressed, conflict between the fans of the two sports teams and American Indian protesters was so inflamed that Native activists dubbed this nationally televised set of games as "The World Series of Racism."[13]

The debate on the use of Indians and their symbolism is fueled by pros and cons. The anti mascot debate believes the mascots are derogatory, injure Indian self images and negatively affect the non Indian perception of Indians.

The arguments for using the Mascots and imagery is to show pride for the Indians, honor them , help them preserve the Indian culture, downplay the importance of the issue and argue it is a matter of Political correctness. Regrettably most of these arguments are made by persons who do not recognize the significance of the symbolism, context, or appropriate use of the imagery therefore creating an image of mockery. 

A citizen of the Onieda is quoted in the end of the lesson plan and I believe it really speaks to the recognition of the problem of racism and improper acknowledgement of the American Indian

"'Indian' logos and nicknames create, support and maintain stereotypes of a race of people. When such cultural abuse is supported by one or many of society's institutions, it constitutes institutional racism.... The logos, along with other societal abuses and stereotypes separate, marginalize, confuse, intimidate and harm Native American children and create barriers to their learning throughout their school experience. Additionally, the logos teach non-Indian children that its all right to participate in culturally abusive behavior. Children spend a great deal of their time in school, and schools have a very significant impact on their emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual development. As long as such logos remain, both Native American and non-Indian children are learning to tolerate racism in our schools.”[14]

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[1] "Mascot." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 3 Aug. 2015. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mascot>.Bottom of Form

 

[2] American Indian Mascots, http://americanindiantah.com/lesson_plans/MascotImages.html;Cleveland Indians, Eaton High School in Colorado "Reds" mascot ,University of Illinois Chief Illiniwek, University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux ,Florida State University Chief Osceola, Washington Redskins - Professional Top of Form

 

[3] http://www.bluecorncomics.com/und.htm

[4] American Indian Issues; An introductory and circular guide to Educators; Indian Mascots, Symbols, and Names in Sports: A Brief History of the Controversy; http://americanindiantah.com/lesson_plans/ml_mascots.html

 

[5] http://www.bluecorncomics.com/und.htm

[6] YouTube; Native American Indian Mascot Protest High School Part 1; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_ncdvRLmmI ,

[7] YouTube; Native American Indian Mascot Protest High School Part 2; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNSLoKgkuXQ

[8] American Indian Issues; An introductory and circular guide to Educators; Indian Mascots, Symbols, and Names in Sports: A Brief History of the Controversy; http://americanindiantah.com/lesson_plans/ml_mascots.html

[9] Florida State University Logo; Florida State university Athletics Website; http://www.seminoles.com/

[10] American Indian Issues; An introductory and circular guide to Educators; Indian Mascots, Symbols, and Names in Sports: A Brief History of the Controversy; http://americanindiantah.com/lesson_plans/ml_mascots.html

[11] ibid

[12] 1995World Series Logo, and team logos, pinterest.com

[13] American Indian Issues; An introductory and circular guide to Educators; Indian Mascots, Symbols, and Names in Sports: A Brief History of the Controversy; http://americanindiantah.com/lesson_plans/ml_mascots.html

[14] ibid; Munson, 1999;