Recent Articles on Mascot Issue:

February, 2007

Methodist group calls for end to schools' Native American mascots January 24, 2007
Dickson Herald, TN -
Some two dozen high schools and 80 middle and elementary schools have some reference to Indians in their team name, according to Native American activists. ...

Local Native Americans oppose banning all Indian mascots from ...January 24, 2007
Kingsport Times News, TN -
As activists prepare to request state officials ban the use of Indian mascots in public schools, a local American Indian leader says the use of Indians,

Activists Want State Board To Ban Sports Teams' Indian Mascots January 23, 2007
WTVF, TN -
Activist Tom Kunesh in Chattanooga said the issue is racism when Native American imagery is used and controlled by people who aren't Indians -- often in

AS I SEE IT: Schools, teams should drop use of offensive names January 21, 2007
Kansas City Star, MO -
... to drop these offensive mascot names and go forward with the schools that have already moved away from the use of American Indians as mascots.

September, 2006

April, 2006

• NCAA denies second appeal April 28, 2006
  Grand Forks Herald - Grand Forks,ND,USA
  ... In addition, Bradley University was placed on a five-year "watch list.". "The Executive Committee concluded that Native American references used by each ...

• NCAA denies Illini use of Indian mascot April 28, 2006
  Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - Fort Wayne,IN,USA
  The NCAA reinforced its stance against the use of American Indian nicknames, mascots and imagery it deems “hostile” and “abusive,” rejecting appeals by ...

• Bad news for supporters of Sioux nickname April 28, 2006
  Bismarck Tribune - ND, USA
  ... Having grown up in the Bis/Mandan area, I will be the first to admit that there are too many negative stereotypes that are associated with being Native American ...

• Bad news for supporters of Sioux nickname April 28, 2006
  Bismarck Tribune - ND, USA
  ... Having grown up in the Bis/Mandan area, I will be the first to admit that there are too many negative stereotypes that are associated with being Native American ...

March, 2006

• neshobademocrat.com | LETTER/Objects to college using Choctaw for team name
  Wednesday, March 22, 2006
  To the editor:The NCAA recently dropped its sanction against Mississippi College’s use of the ‘Choctaws’ name. Many of us were not even aware the Tribal Council passed a resolution to support MC’s use of the name. According to MC’s press release, President Lee G. Royce claimed the ‘Choctaws’ name has been in use “since the 1920s”. Who approved it and why? You Don’t Have My Permission!!!

February, 2006

January, 2006

• 'Indian' mascot may have to go January 9th, 2006
  ... the issue first came to light in Wisconsin, one thing is certain: Controversy over whether schools should be allowed to use American Indian mascots, names and

November, 2005

• Two schools to drop Indian nicknames November 10, 2005
  ... Men, and Midwestern State University in Texas will change its nickname after this season to comply with the NCAA's new policy regarding American Indian mascots ...
   

• Indians explain why some mascots are offensive November 10, 2005
  NEWBERRY, SC (AP) -- Newberry College students left a forum on American Indian heritage Wednesday with a better understanding of why their Indian mascot is ...

• Stereotypes of Indians denounced November 9, 2005
  ... Such costumes are “silly stuff” that demean people of American Indian heritage and further erode the already low self-esteem of young American Indians
   
• Use of Indian mascots divides fans November 1, 2005
  ... Larney and other activists call a first step, the NCAA responded to public pressure in August with a set of guidelines on the use of Native American mascots.

October, 2005

• NCAA refuses Newberry's mascot appeal exception October 25, 2005
  ... "It is not within the purview of the college to determine the effect of using Native American nicknames and logos on those whose names and images are used.

• NCAA keeps Bradley on nickname ban list October 21, 2005
  ... While the NCAA committee praised Bradley University for its efforts in eliminating its Native American mascot, it added the school could have "sent a very clear

• NCAA rejects Bradley’s appeal of Braves nickname October 21, 2005
  ... “By continuing to use Native American references in ... The committee commended Bradley for dropping its American Indian mascot and logos about a decade ago

• NCAA rejects Bradley nickname appeal October 21, 2005
  ... "By continuing to use Native American references in ... The committee commended Bradley for dropping its American Indian mascot and logos about a decade ago. ...

• Bradley’s ‘Braves’ Stay on NCAA’s ‘Hostile’ List October 21, 2005
  ... to have “hostile” or “abusive” Native American nicknames or mascots, in a ... a particular tribe — relatively innocuous names like Indians

• Teams’ nicknames draw group of protesters to Arrowhead October 16 2005
  By JOE ROBERTSON. Denny Gayton and Ryan Red Corn left the other American Indian protesters outside Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday to talk to fans

• Best, worst nicknames in SD October 13, 2005
  ... Redmen (Estelline, Sisseton, Woonsocket): With a Native American population of nearly 10 percent, South Dakota should be a leader when it comes to sensitivity

• Letter calls for schools to shun UI sports October 8, 2005
  ... and other universities are asking NCAA Division I schools not to schedule sports competitions with the UI and other schools that use American Indian mascots

• It's a White Man's Game: Racism, Native American Mascots, And The ... October 2, 2005
  ... As an observer of the ongoing controversy over Native American mascots for more than a decade, I was more than a little surprised by the NCAA's decision. ...

• A Linguist's Alternative History of 'Redskin' October 2, 2005
  ... Goddard's view, however, does not impress Cheyenne-Muscogee writer Suzan Shown Harjo, lead plaintiff for Native American activists who, for the past 13 years ...

• A Brave by any other name  October 2, 2005
  ... The NCAA objects to the fact that the state's flagship university calls its teams "Illini," after the very same Native American tribe for which the state is ...
   

September, 2005

• Caught In The Controversy / NCAA American Indian Mascot Policy Impacts Father And Son Sept 29, 2005
  (NORTH DAKOTA) -- Before committing to attend the University of North Dakota, T.J. Oshie knew almost nothing about the 30-plus year controversy surrounding the school's use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

• An Indian by any other name / Midwestern seeks suggestion on new nickname, mascot for school Sept 29, 2005
  (MICHIGAN) -- The Midwestern State University Wildcatters?

• NCAA: N. Dakota Can't Use Fighting Sioux Sept 29, 2005
  ... is not reasonable to cover up or remove all of the Native American imagery in ... that UND offers perhaps the best opportunity for many American Indian students to ...
   
• N. Dakota at center of 'hostile' debate Sept 28, 2005
  ... At best, the logo and nickname place American Indians in ... obscene sexual scene involving an Indian cartoon character ... "Native people won't go to sporting events

• ‘Scalp the Indians’ from a American Indian perspective Sept 27,2005
  ... that pro-mascot commentators often refer to is a 2002 poll sponsored by Sports Illustrated which suggests most American Indians are in favor of Indian sports ...

• Kick Out the Sports! Sept 27,2005
  ... little fanfare, to separate Lemont from all the other Indian-nicknamed teams in ... to drop its Fighting Illini nickname and Chief Illiniwek mascot, threatened to ...

• Tradition meets political correctness Sept 27,2005
  ... 2001: San Diego State recommends changing the image of its mascot, Monty Montezuma. 2002: Bill introduced to ban use of American Indian nicknames in California ...

• Warriors aren't worriers Sep 25, 2005
  - We don't have a horse and an Indian that come on the field or anything ... objects, such as eagle feathers, are cheapened when used as part of a mascot's costume or

• Bowl games included in Indian mascot ban COLLEGE NEWS Sept 21,2005
  The NCAA announced Tuesday that it is extending its prohibition of “hostile” or “abusive” use of American Indian nicknames, mascots and logos to bowl ...
   
• NCAA extends Indian mascot ban to bowl games Sept 20,2005
  INDIANAPOLIS - The NCAA is requiring bowl games to ban the "hostile" or "abusive" use of American Indian nicknames, mascots and logos beginning next year. ...

• Aren’t we being a little overly sensitive? Sept 19,2005
  ... Is it though? There is an ongoing controversy in sports. Numerous teams have American Indian mascots. ... My old high school’s mascot was the Indians. ...

• A handful do object to the U.'s nickname  Sept 18,2005
  ... The U. abandoned use of an Indian mascot, and the only remaining imagery is the drum and feather in the U. logo — the mascot is "Swoop," a red-tailed hawk. ...

• For dignity's sake, stop using Indians as sports mascots Sept 17,2005
  ... of Native Americans prior to a football game at the University of Illinois, a college infamous in Indian country for its Chief Illiniwek mascot, I observed and ...
   
• NCAA is misguided Sept 16, 2005...
   to find examples of colleges and universities that use native American names and ... CMU's nickname is intended to honor the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, not to ...

• Chippewas face much bigger, tougher opponent than ...Sept 16, 2005
  NCAA's mighty crusade stopped short of actually asking Native American tribes what their interests were. As it turned out, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of ...

• North Dakota Tribes vote against mascots
  The Board of Directors of the United Tribes of North Dakota voted unanimously to support the NCAA ban on Indian mascots, which includes a ban on UND's Fighting Sioux. This vote came following a debate earlier today with UND's president.
   
• 2 more colleges get OK from NCAA on mascots
  The Utah Utes and Central Michigan Chippewas were removed Friday from a list of Native American mascots banned by the NCAA from its championships. Less than a month after the NCAA announced a list of 18 Native American mascots deemed "hostile or abusive" -- none in Indiana -- three schools have won appeals. The other is Florida State, whose nickname is the Seminoles.
   
• NCAA approves Utah's use of UTE's name
  SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The NCAA gave Utah permission to continue using its Utes nickname Friday, just hours before the school's nationally televised football game against Arizona.

August, 2005

• Journal Views: Mascots aren't biggest problem for NCAA 8-21-05
  What you won't see, announced NCAA honcho Myles Brand more than a week ago, is mascots which are derived or make reference to any part of Native American culture. That means when Utah next makes the NCAA Tournament, Vern Lundquist is going to pretend the team's name isn't the Utes.
   
• FSU receives tribes help 8-13-05
  TALLAHASSEE -- In a four-page letter sent to the NCAA on Friday, Florida State protested its inclusion among the 18 schools with "hostile and abusive" mascots in an appeal that could turn on the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, a group whose opinions university officials only three days ago labeled inconsequential.
   
• Oklahoma Tribe ok with Seminoles name, logo 8-13-05
  TALLAHASSEE - Florida State University filed an appeal to the NCAA on Friday, saying the Seminole name and logo should not be on the organization's list of offensive American Indian images banned from postseason NCAA tournaments.
   
• The NCAA is learning what it's like to be Indian 8-11-05
  The NCAA is learning what it's like to be mocked, cartooned, lampooned and vilified - in short, what it's like to be Indian in the world of sports.
  After only days of this treatment, the NCAA should appreciate even more keenly the importance of their decision to the health, safety and emotional well-being of Native and non-Native students, who are and should be their first concern.
   
• Abusive mascots still a serious issue8-11-05
  Persistence is the operative principle in the fight to convince the sporting world that it is doing a disservice to American Indian and Native children by labeling teams and mascots with Indian nicknames and imagery. It speaks to American obtuseness that so many sports people and media are so thick-headed about the brazen insult and the easy dismissal of the predominate Indian position on the subject. The national media channels will sometimes put on a serious Indian viewpoint, but then assume the issue is bogus and not worth respecting.

• Let's make a deal: Let the Utes decide who can use their name 8-10-05
  For the past 513 years, people of European heritage have basically approached American Indian society in one of two ways: genocide or paternalism.

• NCAA the mascot ban a step in the right direction  8-10-05
  The group has banned Native American mascots by sports teams during post-season tournaments. They can't be on uniforms or on the sidelines. Where such images are part of a gym or field, they'll have to be covered. And in 2008, the images also will be banned from cheerleader and band uniforms.
   
• NCAA takes the high road with ban of offesive mascots 8-10-05
  Much has been written over the past week about the NCAA Executive Committee's decision not to conduct championships on the campuses of member institutions where the use of nicknames and mascots representing American Indians is considered hostile and abusive. Some of the articles have been supportive of the committee's decision; some thought it fell short and called for an outright ban of such mascots.
   
• NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events

• Gov. Bush criticizes NCAA officials for stance on Indian nicknames
  Jeb Bush criticized NCAA officials on Tuesday for their decision to penalize Florida State for using an American Indian nickname and symbols, saying

• Let's make a deal: Let the Utes decide who can use their name
  For the past 513 years, people of European heritage have basically approached American Indian society in one of two ways: genocide or paternalism.

• NCAA rules on American Indian names
  The NCAA banned the use of American Indian mascots, including CMU's Chippewas, by sports teams during its postseason tournaments Friday, but will not ...
   
• 'Ute' Nickname May Be Abandoned
  ... The University of Utah is nicknamed the Utes after the American Indian tribe whose nearly 4,000 members live primarily on two Utah reservations.
   
• NFL needs to join colleges in fight, scrap Redskins' nickname
  ... made in sports in this continuing education struggle is ... as a "noun, usually offensive" for American Indian. ... rather thumb its nose at Native American groups and ...
   
• NCAA to Ban ‘Hostile' Names in Postseason
  The NCAA will ban the use of 18 Native American nicknames and mascots it ... said Cindy La Marr, former president of the National Indian Education Association and ..

• Statement from FSU president about NCAA decision
  The univeristy's mascot is a Seminole indian. .. a policy banning schools using Native American names and ... On June 17, the . Tribal Council of the Seminole Tribe of ...

• Nickname debate began almost 40 years ago
  The debate - using Native American nicknames and mascots ... schools in Wisconsin dropped American Indian nicknames .. the largest democratic education organization of ...

• NCAA does more harm than good
  driven from their land, the NCAA is applauding schools like Iowa and Wisconsin that are refusing to schedule any school that has an American Indian nickname.
   
• New NCAA policy won't affect Aztecs
  "It's good news that the ... Among the higher-profile schools still using American Indian imagery are Florida State (Seminoles), Illinois (Illini) and Utah (Utes).
   
• Take note, NCAA: Lose the felons, not the nicknames
  white man's zeal to trespass on Indian territory. ... nicknames were being used to slur American Indians, but ... Seminoles" is "an honor to our heritage and culture.".
   
• NCAA embarks on slippery slope with decision
  American Indian groups figure to be more supportive, although the ... Tribal councilman Max Osceola told the Tampa Tribune ... for a berth in the College World Series.
   
• Central Michigan will review nickname following NCAA postseason ..
  and prohibits the use of American Indian images, symbols ... that the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe has ... an outside source regarding university-tribal relations is ...
   
• Could 'Utes' Be Changing Their Name?
  College sports teams can no longer use American Indian Mascots or Indian nicknames on their uniforms. .. I mean, it's part of our culture.".
   
• NCAA: UNCP exempt from American Indian nickname ban in tourneys
  ... The new rule won't apply to the school because "based on the foundation of the school, the history and its union with the Native American community, the NCAA ...
   
• NCAA bans some mascots at tourneys
  The NCAA banned the use of American Indian mascots by sports teams during its postseason tournaments, but will not prohibit them otherwise.

July, 2005

• MASCOT: Nickname controversy follows teams 6-14-05
  Miami of Ohio's nickname dilemma was one that had confronted universities throughout the nation.

• Name shame? American Indians still working to end stereotypes 
  The sight of Chief Osceola riding Renegade onto Bobby Bowden Field is guaranteed to get the 80,000 Florida State fans on their feet and ready to do the "tomahawk chop."
   
• COMMENTARY: NCAA must tread lightly with Native American nicknames 
  There is only one thing I know for certain about the delicate debate surrounding the use of Native American nicknames in sports: The NCAA absolutely should not be regulating their use...

June, 2005

• Should Indian nicknames be banned?
• NCAA is unlikely to ban Indian mascot nicknames
• Why NCAA is wrong on Native American Mascots

• Idaho schools will stick to their Indian nicknames

• Mascot bill passes California Senate Education Committee

• School Drops Disrespectful "Warriors" Name

• Sports Mascots and Native Americans

• MU begins process to end identity crisis - Warriors will not be one to choose from

• Wahoo protesters to burn logo in effigy

• NCAA To Address Native American Mascots

• Native American Student Council Files Compliant Against ROTC For Use "Chieftain"

The National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media exists to fight the powerful influence of major media who choose to promulgate messages of oppression. The impetus which formed NCRSM was the clear case of media coupling imagery with widely held misconceptions of American Indians in the form of sports team identities resulting in racial, cultural, and spiritual stereotyping. NCRSM formed in October of 1991 at a meeting of American Indian dignitaries and activists held at Augsburg College, Minneapolis, Minnesota. NCRSM, while best known for its front-line demonstrations outside sports stadiums across America has been responsible for an educational effort which has made the issue of racial stereotyping a household discussion. NCRSM takes a long term view of the struggle against learned hatred and disrespect. We are in a fight for the very soul of the United States against long ingrained willful and self serving ignorance. Components of major media which from public and government opinion includes: film vido, sports entertainment, and educational institutions, publications, news organization, television, cable satellite, internet, retail practices and merchandising, marketing and radio.

AMERICAN INDIANS ARE PEOPLE, NOT MASCOTS

On the verge of the millenium, Indian people are still involved in what Michael Haney has described as the longest undeclared war against the American Indian, here in our own homeland. This war, no longer on battlefields is now being fought in the courtrooms, corporation boardrooms, and classrooms over the appropriation of Native American names, spiritual and cultural symbols by professional sports, Hollywood, schools, and universities. The issue for us is the right to self identification and self determination this is the fight of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media.

The American Indian community for 50 years has worked to banish images and names like Cleveland's chief wahoo, Washington redskins, Kansas City chiefs, Atlanta braves. We work to remind people of consciousness of the use of the symbols resemblance to other historic, racist images of the past. Chief wahoo offends Indian people the same way that little black sambo offended African Americans and the frito bandito offended the Hispanic community and should have offended all of us. It assaults the principle of justice.

Last year during the media hype that surrounded the baseball playoff games between New York and Cleveland, the New York Post caught up in the hype covered its front page with the headline, "Take the Tribe and Scalp 'Em." Little concern was shown for the Indian children, or community living in New York City, or around the country. The American public has been conditioned by sports industry, educational institutions, and the media to trivialize Indigenous culture as common and harmless entertainment. On high school and college campuses Native American students do not feel welcome if the school uses as its mascot (not a clown, a mythical creature, or an animal) a Chief, the highest political position you can attain in our society. Using our names, likeness and religious symbols to excite the crowd does not feel like honor or respect, it is hurtful and confusing to our young people. To reduce the victims of genocide to a mascot is unthinking, at least, and immoral at worst. An educational institution's mission is to educate, not mis-educate, and to alleviate the ignorance behind racist stereotypes, not perpetuate them and to provide a nondiscriminatory environment for all its students, conducive to learning.

Student leadership has played a significant role in bringing the mascot issue forward. In the 1970's students at Stanford and Dartmouth were successful in changing the athletic identity from Indians to a race-neutral name and symbol. Since 1988, the student-led struggle to retire the dancing Indian mascot/symbol at the University of Illinois continues with little chance of change against an arrogant and entrenched governor-appointed Board of Trustees.

Still, in recent years, significant contributions to this movement to eradicate racist mascots have been made. At least six Universities have changed their names, the Los Angeles Board of Education voted to ban Indian images and names. In schools across the country the mascot issues is being debated and these debates are being led by young Native people finding a new found pride in reclaiming themselves. The Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility, a national interfaith organization of investors with combined portfolios worth an estimated 80 billion, have appealed to companies to discontinue using stereotypes that negatively impact Native American people of color and women. Also tribal leadership who once thought, there were more important issues in Indian country are now making the connection between mass media stereotyping and disrespect of tribal sovereignty. The tomahawk chop = the budget chop. Native artists, who reflect the consciousness of Native nations are addressing this issue of stereotyping in their paintings, installations, and writings. Arecent example is, Edgar Heap of Bird's public art pience commissioned by the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1996. The controversial billboard juxtaposed a likeness of the Cleveland logo, chief wahoo with the phrase, "Smile for Racism." The work was nearly banned by the commissioning agency because it was perceived as offensive to the Cleveland community. While the Cleveland American Indian community continues to protest outside the Cleveland baseball stadium, every home game because of the objectionable, red faced, big-nosed, buckteeth Cleveland Indian logo.

For Native leadership and allies working on the mascot issue, the call nationwide is to work towards the elimination of the misrepresentation and abuses of Indian images, names and spiritual way of life by the year 2000. And the rallying call is, American Indians are a People, Not Mascots for Americas fun and games. We are human beings.

http://www.aimovement.org/ncrsm/index.html