Who has spoken out against the Redsk*ns?

In Uncategorized by Adrienne K.23 Comments

redskins

As I’m sure you know by now, on Wednesday, June 18th, the US Trademark and Patent office officially cancelled the Redsk*ns trademark, calling the name “disparaging to Native Americans.” It was a huge win, 22 years in the making. In the aftermath, there have been hundreds of articles, tons of news commentary, and people saying a whole lot of racist BS in defense of the name. But as it all has swirled, I kept wanting a collective list of ALL the folks who have spoken out against the team name. So I decided to make one.

I got started and realized that even with my browser bookmarks and resources, there’s no way I could get everything. So I need your help. This is just the framework/start, but I want to crowdsource filling in the rest. Send me links in the comments or on FB, and I’ll plug them in where they belong. Especially if your tribe has spoken out. I know there are more, but the news doesn’t tend to cover tribal voices nearly as much as celebrities and professional athletes.

Here we go!

ETA (6/23): Changethemascot.org has an ongoing list as well! I should have known my idea was not unique. Check it out. Great resource.

(American Indian Sports Team Mascots (AISTM) has a couple of great running lists as well–and you can see these go back to the early/mid 1990’s. List 1, List 2.)

Tribal Councils/Tribal Leaders/Tribal Members (thanks to changethename.org for a lot of these)

 

National Organizations (Native):

 

National Organizations (non-Native):

Publications (This is lifted mostly from Poynter.org’s list compiled by Andrew Beaujon):

 

Athletes

 

Politicians

 

Celebrities/Other Public Figures 

Ok, now your turn–who am I missing? I know there are more. Share in the comments, and this list will be constantly updated as more articles come out! 

Update! Are you a Native individual who wants to lend your name to the fight? (Because all the haterz say we don’t exist…)

Check out the full constantly-updating list of Native individuals against the Redsk*ns here: http://nativeappropriations.com/nativesagainstredskins

 

*= kinda weaksauce support, like “I’m on the side of doing what’s right” or “I’d think about changing it,” not necessarily explicit THE NAME IS RACIST kinda thing.

**=passed resolutions against Native mascots generally, not just the Redsk*ns

Comments

  1. Rob Schmidt

    James Anaya (UN Special Rapporteur), Bob Costas, John Carlos, Jesse Ventura, Stephen Colbert (sort of), NIGA, Reed Hundt (former FCC chairman), Jack Abramoff.

  2. Rachel Derusha

    Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
    http://www.changethemascot.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/ATNI.pdf

    Penobscot Nation
    http://www.changethemascot.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/ltr-from-Penobscot-to-Sen-Cantwell-opposing-NFL-DC-franchise-name-.pdf

    Native American Financial Officers Association
    http://www.changethemascot.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/20131007_NAFOA_Board_Letter_Redskins_Use.pdf

    The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
    http://www.changethemascot.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Colville-letter-on-mascots-3134892_1.pdf

    The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes
    http://www.changethemascot.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Intertribal-Council-of-Five-Civilized-Tribes-Washington-Sports-Team-Resolution.pdf

    Inter Tribal Council of Arizona
    http://www.changethemascot.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Inter-Tribal-Council-of-Arizona-Letter.pdf

    The Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation
    http://www.changethemascot.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Ft-Berthold-Resolution.pdf

    Society of American Indian Government Employees
    http://saige.org/words/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/SAIGE-Position-on-Mascots.pdf

    Native American Contractors Association
    http://www.changethemascot.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Native-American_African-American-Communities_Against_Racism-051314.pdf

    National Indian Gaming Association
    http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/04/14/supporting-derogatory-depictions-not-option-niga-154447

    American Psychological Association
    http://www.changethemascot.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/APA-Resolution.pdfhttp://www.changethemascot.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/APA-Resolution.pdf

    National Coalition for Equity in Public Service
    http://saige.org/words/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/NCEPSPressReleaserevised92513.pdf

    United Church of Christ
    http://www.changethemascot.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/UCC_Washington-National-Football-Team-Resolution.pdf

    United States Black Chambers, Inc.
    http://www.changethemascot.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Native-American_African-American-Communities_Against_Racism-051314.pdf

    BIG – Blacks in Government
    https://saige.org/words/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MascotBIGresolution.pdf

    1. Rob Schmidt

      All the people on the list, presumably.

      Meanwhile, who cares if you don’t care?

      1. I_RIGHT_I

        I care about professional victims mucking up the works for everyone. I don’t think the majority of people in this country care what the Indians linked to this movement think. That includes the majority of real American Indians.

        1. meanneighborlady

          I would second rob. Who cares what you think? If you don’t care, go do something else. Leave. See? easy.

        2. Rob Schmidt

          Define “real American Indians.” And prove what they think with something other than a bogus 10-year-old “poll.”

          Meanwhile, the list includes many of the biggest tribes as well as “67% of Native Americans in a new survey.” So I’d guess you’re wrong about what most Indians think.

  3. Josh

    DJ NDN of the band A Tribe Called Red has been vocal about changing this and all Native-related sports team names.

  4. esther

    members of the PIscataway Indian Nation as well as the Piscataway-Conoy Tribe, (both native to MD/VA/DC area), have also spoken out against the name on local news.

  5. Coastwoman

    Don’t forget to add the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, of Brooks, CA to your list of tribes. They paid for the airtime for the ad that was run during the NBA finals, in several major markets. The Tribal Chairman, and another council member (Chair: Marshall McKay, and Sec’y James C. Kinter) also put out their own video on why sports mascots were harmful to our children and community.

      1. Natalie

        thanks for the answear! I actually wrote you there too and after that on facebook. I guess you were just too busy but if you have the time to read it that would be great. My name ist Natalie Munk 🙂

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