Stereotypes, Racism and Sports Team Mascots . . .
http://www.aistm.org
- - - - - - -
Good Riddance to the "CHIEF"
University of Illinois scrapped controversial sports mascot - February 21, 2007
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/ ... =8031#8031
- - - - - - -
Native Americans renew call for an end to deorgatory Redskins. . .
August 11, 2006. . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/ ... =7331#7331
- - - - - - -
NCAA Rules Against Appeals . . .
April 28, 2006
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/ ... =6890#6890
- - - - - - -
Native Names and Imagery in Sports . . .
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/i ... sports.cfm
- - - - - - -
“The continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities establishes an unwelcome and often times hostile learning environment that affirms negative images and stereotypes that are promoted in mainstream society.” State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
MEMO
DATE: December 27, 2005
TO: District Administrators
FROM: Elizabeth Burmaster, State Superintendent
SUBJECT: American Indian Logos, Mascots, and Nicknames
In the latter part of 2005, the American Psychological Association (APA) adopted a resolution calling upon schools to end the use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities for their athletic teams. The resolution cites, among other concerns, the potential negative impact of the use of such mascots, symbols, images, and personalities have on the mental health of all students, particularly American Indian students.
Enclosed is a copy of the resolution along with a justification statement of support.
The resolution states “The continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities establishes an unwelcome and often times hostile learning environment that affirms negative images and stereotypes that are promoted in mainstream society.”
As you know, I believe that stereotypical American Indian logos do not support sound educational practice because they interfere with a school’s efforts to provide accurate information related to the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of American Indian nations. In addition to ensuring sound educational practices, we need to ensure that all of our children feel welcome in our schools. The New Wisconsin Promise guarantees a quality education for every child through attention to and respect for diversity, including differences in race and culture. Stereotypical logos can hurt our children, albeit unintentionally.
For all these reasons, I have consistently called for the elimination of these logos from our schools. The eleven tribal governments in Wisconsin, the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, the Wisconsin Indian Education Association, the Wisconsin Education Association Council, other Indian nations and organizations across the country, various national nonprofit and faith-based organizations, and most recently, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, have all called for the elimination of these logos, mascots, and nicknames.
The Department of Public Instruction has supported legislation to address this issue and supports SB 172 and AB 395 in the current session. These bills would amend the existing pupil nondiscrimination statute to allow those objecting to a school district's use of an ethnic name, nickname, logo, or mascot to file a complaint with the State Superintendent. At the ensuing hearing, the school district must prove by clear and convincing evidence that its use of the ethnic name, nickname, logo, or mascot does not promote discrimination, harassment, or stereotyping. These measures would not yield a broad ban on the use of American Indian names, nicknames, logos, or mascots, rather they would provide a more effective means for affected parties to express their concerns.
We have seen a positive trend in Wisconsin’s schools with regard to the discontinuation of American Indian logos. Over the past 16 years, 25 districts have replaced their ethnic logos.
I encourage those districts who continue to use American Indian logos and/or mascots to engage their communities in finding positive alternatives. My staff is available to offer information about resources and strategies that may help in these efforts. Let’s work together to keep the New Wisconsin Promise made to all our children.
- - - - - - -
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NCAA Bars Use of Hostile Mascot Names from Tournaments; NAJA Asks
Media Outlets to Immediately Stop Using Offensive Mascot Names
VERMILLION, S.D. - Aug. 6, 2005 - In light of the NCAA's decision to
bar "hostile" or "abusive" mascots and nicknames from NCAA
tournaments and events, the Native American Journalists Association
(NAJA) asks media outlets to immediately stop using offensive Indian
mascots and nicknames in their sports coverage.
"It's no coincidence that all 18 colleges and universities identified
Friday by the NCAA have Indian nicknames," said NAJA president Dan
Lewerenz (Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska). "One cannot call a team
the 'Savages,' deck them out in Indian imagery, and say with a
straight face that it's an honor. One should not continue to 'honor'
a tribe by using the tribe's name against the tribe's wishes. The
NCAA has recognized that - now it's time for the industry to do so."
The NCAA announced Friday it would stop the use of abusive and
hostile American Indian nicknames words and images in postseason
tournaments. Starting in February, any school with a nickname or
logo considered racially or ethnically disparaging by the NCAA would
be prohibited from using them in postseason events. Mascots will not
be allowed to perform at tournament games, and band members and
cheerleaders will also be barred from using American Indians on their
uniforms beginning in 2008. Major college football teams are not
subject to the ban because there is no official NCAA tournament.
"These terribly racist names, like Redskins and Savages, and the
mocking caricatures, like the Cleveland Indians' Chief Wahoo and the
University of Illinois' dancing Chief Illiniwek, would not be
tolerated by any other ethnic group in America," Lewerenz said. "That
newspapers, television, radio and Internet news sites continue to use
them - even exploit them for clever-sounding, but stereotyping,
headlines and catch phrases - is not acceptable either."
For years, NAJA has encouraged the news industry to review its
policies regarding Indian mascots and nicknames, and has pointed to
examples, like "The Oregonian" of Portland, Ore., that have adopted
specific policies against certain mascots and images. An example of
some of those newspapers and policies can be found in NAJA's 2003
"Reading Red Report" at
http://www.naja.com/resources/publicati ... ng-red.pdf
Contacts:
Dan Lewerenz, NAJA Board President
307-214-1187 or danlewerenz@bresnan.net
Kim Baca, Interim Executive Director
605-677-5282 or kim@naja.com
- - - - - - -
NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events
For Immediate Release
Friday, August 5 , 2005
INDIANAPOLIS --- The presidents and chancellors who serve on the NCAA Executive Committee have adopted a new policy to prohibit NCAA colleges and universities from displaying hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames or imagery at any of the 88 NCAA championships.
The Executive Committee, meeting Thursday in Indianapolis, also approved recommended best practices for schools who continue to use Native American mascots, nicknames and imagery in their intercollegiate athletic programs.
"Colleges and universities may adopt any mascot that they wish, as that is an institutional matter," said Walter Harrison, chair of the Executive Committee and president at the University of Hartford.
"But as a national association, we believe that mascots, nicknames or images deemed hostile or abusive in terms of race, ethnicity or national origin should not be visible at the championship events that we control."
The policy prohibiting colleges or universities with hostile or abusive mascots, nicknames or imagery from hosting any NCAA championship competitions takes effect February 1, 2006.
"The NCAA objects to institutions using racial/ethnic/national origin references in their intercollegiate athletics programs," said NCAA President Myles Brand.
"Several institutions have made changes that adhere to the core values of the NCAA Constitution pertaining to cultural diversity, ethical sportsmanship and nondiscrimination. We applaud that, and we will continue to monitor these institutions and others. All institutions are encouraged to promote these core values and take proactive steps at every NCAA event through institutional event management to enhance the integrity of intercollegiate athletics related to these issues."
Other elements of the policy approved Thursday require that institutions with hostile or abusive references must take reasonable steps to cover up those references at any predetermined NCAA championship site that has been previously awarded, effective February 1, 2006.
Institutions displaying or promoting hostile or abusive references on their mascots, cheerleaders, dance teams and band uniforms or paraphernalia are prohibited from wearing the material at NCAA championships, effective August 1, 2008.
Last, and effective immediately, institutions with student-athletes wearing uniforms or having paraphernalia with hostile or abusive references must ensure that those uniforms or paraphernalia not be worn or displayed at NCAA championship competitions.
Harrison stressed that institutions affected by the new policy can seek further review of the matter through the NCAA governing structure.
The committee also strongly suggested that institutions follow the best practices of institutions that do not support the use of Native American mascots or imagery.
Model institutions include the University of Iowa and University of Wisconsin, who have practices of not scheduling athletic competitions with schools who use Native American nicknames, imagery or mascots.
Additionally, the committee suggested that institutions should review their publications and written materials for hostile and abusive references and remove those depictions, which is the current policy of the NCAA National Office.
Last, member institutions are encouraged to educate their internal and external constituents on the understanding and awareness of the negative impact of hostile or abusive symbols, names and imagery, and to create a greater level of knowledge of Native American culture through outreach efforts and other means of communication.
The recommendations stemmed from discussions in June at the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interest Committee (MOIC) meeting in Boston. Those recommendations were forwarded to the Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues earlier this week. The subcommittee then forwarded its recommended changes to the Executive Committee, which is the highest ranking committee in the NCAA governance structure.
Three events prompted initial discussion on mascots within the Association in April 2001—membership feedback; ongoing issues surrounding the Confederate Battle Flag; and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ statement on the use of American Indian imagery as sports symbols.
In November 2004, 33 schools were asked to submit self evaluations to the NCAA National Office to determine the extent, if any, of the use of Native American imagery or references on their campuses. Specific aspects of the self evaluations centered on three NCAA Constitution principles that reference cultural diversity and gender equity (Article 2.2.2); the principle of sportsmanship and ethical conduct (Article 2.4); and the principle of nondiscrimination (Article 2.6).
Eighteen colleges and universities continue to use Native American imagery or references and are subject to the new policy:
Alcorn State University (Braves)
Central Michigan University (Chippewas)
Catawba College (Indians)
Florida State University (Seminoles)
Midwestern State University (Indians)
University of Utah (Utes)
Indiana University-Pennsylvania (Indians)
Carthage College (Redmen)
Bradley University (Braves)
Arkansas State University (Indians)
Chowan College (Braves)
University of Illinois-Champaign (Illini)
University of Louisiana-Monroe (Indians)
McMurry University (Indians)
Mississippi College (Choctaws)
Newberry College (Indians)
University of North Dakota (Fighting Sioux)
Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Savages)
Fourteen schools have removed all references to Native American culture or were deemed not to have references to Native American culture as part of their athletics programs: California State-Stanislaus University; Lycoming College; Winona State University; Hawaii-Manoa University; Eastern Connecticut State University; East Stroudsburg University; Husson College; Merrimack College; Southeast Missouri State University; State University of West Georgia; Stonehill College; San Diego State University; Wisconsin Lutheran College; and the University of North Carolina-Pembroke.
The College of William and Mary has been given an extension to complete its self-study on the mascot issue.
Contact
Bob Williams
Managing Director of Public and Media Relations
317/917-6117
- - - - - - -
BACKGROUND
American Indian Sports Team mascots
http://www.aistm.org
TurtleIsland.org
Welcome to Turtle Island Native Network's Forums
Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots
4 posts • Page 1 of 1
Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots
by Native American Mascots » Sun Aug 07, 2005 6:56 pm
- Native American Mascots
Restrictions on use of Native American mascots,names/imagery
by Natives as Sports Mascots » Mon May 01, 2006 6:03 pm
NCAA Executive Committee Announces Native American Mascot Appeals Decisions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 28, 2006
Contact
Bob Williams
Managing Director of Public and Media Relations
317/917-6117
INDIANAPOLIS --- The NCAA Executive Committee today retained the University of Illinois, Champaign, the University of North Dakota and Indiana University of Pennsylvania on the list of colleges and universities subject to restrictions on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA championships.
The Executive Committee also removed Bradley University from the list of schools subject to restrictions and placed the institution on a five-year watch list.
In denying the University of Illinois, Champaign, the University of North Dakota, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania appeals, the Executive Committee concluded that Native American references used by each university create hostile or abusive environments inconsistent with the NCAA constitution and inconsistent with the NCAA commitment to diversity, respect and sportsmanship.
Today’s decision means the University of Illinois, Champaign, the University of North Dakota and Indiana University of Pennsylvania will only be invited to participate in NCAA championships if they elect to do so without Native American references on their uniforms and associated athletic program activities. It also means these institutions will not be allowed to host NCAA championship events.
Bradley University previously removed all Native American imagery associated with its athletics programs and only kept the generic nickname “Braves.” Based on information contained in Bradley’s appeal, the Executive Committee found Bradley demonstrated its ability to provide an environment that is not hostile or abusive and one that is consistent with the NCAA constitution and commitment to diversity, respect and sportsmanship. Bradley will be placed on a watch list for five years, during which time the NCAA will work with the school to assure that circumstances do not change. Bradley is allowed to fully participate in and host NCAA championships without restrictions.
In November, 2005, the NCAA removed championship restrictions on the University of Illinois, Champaign’s use of its nicknames “Illini” and “Fighting Illini” because the university demonstrated the nicknames were not a direct Native American reference, but a reference to the state of Illinois.
Over the last eight months, four institutions have been removed from the list because they have received approval from specific Native American “namesake” tribes for use of their names; six have remained on the list with one appeal pending; five institutions have changed or are in the process of changing their nicknames; three are pending NCAA staff review and one has now been put on a watch list. A document outlining the status of colleges and university subject to the restrictions on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA championships can be found in the Tools & Resources box above.
- - - - - - -
BACKGROUND
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NCAA Bars Use of Hostile Mascot Names from Tournaments; NAJA Asks
Media Outlets to Immediately Stop Using Offensive Mascot Names
VERMILLION, S.D. - Aug. 6, 2005 - In light of the NCAA's decision to
bar "hostile" or "abusive" mascots and nicknames from NCAA
tournaments and events, the Native American Journalists Association
(NAJA) asks media outlets to immediately stop using offensive Indian
mascots and nicknames in their sports coverage.
"It's no coincidence that all 18 colleges and universities identified
Friday by the NCAA have Indian nicknames," said NAJA president Dan
Lewerenz (Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska). "One cannot call a team
the 'Savages,' deck them out in Indian imagery, and say with a
straight face that it's an honor. One should not continue to 'honor'
a tribe by using the tribe's name against the tribe's wishes. The
NCAA has recognized that - now it's time for the industry to do so."
The NCAA announced Friday it would stop the use of abusive and
hostile American Indian nicknames words and images in postseason
tournaments. Starting in February, any school with a nickname or
logo considered racially or ethnically disparaging by the NCAA would
be prohibited from using them in postseason events. Mascots will not
be allowed to perform at tournament games, and band members and
cheerleaders will also be barred from using American Indians on their
uniforms beginning in 2008. Major college football teams are not
subject to the ban because there is no official NCAA tournament.
"These terribly racist names, like Redskins and Savages, and the
mocking caricatures, like the Cleveland Indians' Chief Wahoo and the
University of Illinois' dancing Chief Illiniwek, would not be
tolerated by any other ethnic group in America," Lewerenz said. "That
newspapers, television, radio and Internet news sites continue to use
them - even exploit them for clever-sounding, but stereotyping,
headlines and catch phrases - is not acceptable either."
For years, NAJA has encouraged the news industry to review its
policies regarding Indian mascots and nicknames, and has pointed to
examples, like "The Oregonian" of Portland, Ore., that have adopted
specific policies against certain mascots and images. An example of
some of those newspapers and policies can be found in NAJA's 2003
"Reading Red Report" at
http://www.naja.com/resources/publicati ... ng-red.pdf
Contacts:
Dan Lewerenz, NAJA Board President
307-214-1187 or danlewerenz@bresnan.net
Kim Baca, Interim Executive Director
605-677-5282 or kim@naja.com
- - - - - - -
NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events
For Immediate Release
Friday, August 5 , 2005
INDIANAPOLIS --- The presidents and chancellors who serve on the NCAA Executive Committee have adopted a new policy to prohibit NCAA colleges and universities from displaying hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames or imagery at any of the 88 NCAA championships.
The Executive Committee, meeting Thursday in Indianapolis, also approved recommended best practices for schools who continue to use Native American mascots, nicknames and imagery in their intercollegiate athletic programs.
"Colleges and universities may adopt any mascot that they wish, as that is an institutional matter," said Walter Harrison, chair of the Executive Committee and president at the University of Hartford.
"But as a national association, we believe that mascots, nicknames or images deemed hostile or abusive in terms of race, ethnicity or national origin should not be visible at the championship events that we control."
The policy prohibiting colleges or universities with hostile or abusive mascots, nicknames or imagery from hosting any NCAA championship competitions takes effect February 1, 2006.
"The NCAA objects to institutions using racial/ethnic/national origin references in their intercollegiate athletics programs," said NCAA President Myles Brand.
"Several institutions have made changes that adhere to the core values of the NCAA Constitution pertaining to cultural diversity, ethical sportsmanship and nondiscrimination. We applaud that, and we will continue to monitor these institutions and others. All institutions are encouraged to promote these core values and take proactive steps at every NCAA event through institutional event management to enhance the integrity of intercollegiate athletics related to these issues."
Other elements of the policy approved Thursday require that institutions with hostile or abusive references must take reasonable steps to cover up those references at any predetermined NCAA championship site that has been previously awarded, effective February 1, 2006.
Institutions displaying or promoting hostile or abusive references on their mascots, cheerleaders, dance teams and band uniforms or paraphernalia are prohibited from wearing the material at NCAA championships, effective August 1, 2008.
Last, and effective immediately, institutions with student-athletes wearing uniforms or having paraphernalia with hostile or abusive references must ensure that those uniforms or paraphernalia not be worn or displayed at NCAA championship competitions.
Harrison stressed that institutions affected by the new policy can seek further review of the matter through the NCAA governing structure.
The committee also strongly suggested that institutions follow the best practices of institutions that do not support the use of Native American mascots or imagery.
Model institutions include the University of Iowa and University of Wisconsin, who have practices of not scheduling athletic competitions with schools who use Native American nicknames, imagery or mascots.
Additionally, the committee suggested that institutions should review their publications and written materials for hostile and abusive references and remove those depictions, which is the current policy of the NCAA National Office.
Last, member institutions are encouraged to educate their internal and external constituents on the understanding and awareness of the negative impact of hostile or abusive symbols, names and imagery, and to create a greater level of knowledge of Native American culture through outreach efforts and other means of communication.
The recommendations stemmed from discussions in June at the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interest Committee (MOIC) meeting in Boston. Those recommendations were forwarded to the Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues earlier this week. The subcommittee then forwarded its recommended changes to the Executive Committee, which is the highest ranking committee in the NCAA governance structure.
Three events prompted initial discussion on mascots within the Association in April 2001—membership feedback; ongoing issues surrounding the Confederate Battle Flag; and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ statement on the use of American Indian imagery as sports symbols.
In November 2004, 33 schools were asked to submit self evaluations to the NCAA National Office to determine the extent, if any, of the use of Native American imagery or references on their campuses. Specific aspects of the self evaluations centered on three NCAA Constitution principles that reference cultural diversity and gender equity (Article 2.2.2); the principle of sportsmanship and ethical conduct (Article 2.4); and the principle of nondiscrimination (Article 2.6).
Eighteen colleges and universities continue to use Native American imagery or references and are subject to the new policy:
Alcorn State University (Braves)
Central Michigan University (Chippewas)
Catawba College (Indians)
Florida State University (Seminoles)
Midwestern State University (Indians)
University of Utah (Utes)
Indiana University-Pennsylvania (Indians)
Carthage College (Redmen)
Bradley University (Braves)
Arkansas State University (Indians)
Chowan College (Braves)
University of Illinois-Champaign (Illini)
University of Louisiana-Monroe (Indians)
McMurry University (Indians)
Mississippi College (Choctaws)
Newberry College (Indians)
University of North Dakota (Fighting Sioux)
Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Savages)
Fourteen schools have removed all references to Native American culture or were deemed not to have references to Native American culture as part of their athletics programs: California State-Stanislaus University; Lycoming College; Winona State University; Hawaii-Manoa University; Eastern Connecticut State University; East Stroudsburg University; Husson College; Merrimack College; Southeast Missouri State University; State University of West Georgia; Stonehill College; San Diego State University; Wisconsin Lutheran College; and the University of North Carolina-Pembroke.
The College of William and Mary has been given an extension to complete its self-study on the mascot issue.
Contact
Bob Williams
Managing Director of Public and Media Relations
317/917-6117
- - - - - - -
BACKGROUND
American Indian Sports Team mascots
http://www.aistm.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 28, 2006
Contact
Bob Williams
Managing Director of Public and Media Relations
317/917-6117
INDIANAPOLIS --- The NCAA Executive Committee today retained the University of Illinois, Champaign, the University of North Dakota and Indiana University of Pennsylvania on the list of colleges and universities subject to restrictions on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA championships.
The Executive Committee also removed Bradley University from the list of schools subject to restrictions and placed the institution on a five-year watch list.
In denying the University of Illinois, Champaign, the University of North Dakota, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania appeals, the Executive Committee concluded that Native American references used by each university create hostile or abusive environments inconsistent with the NCAA constitution and inconsistent with the NCAA commitment to diversity, respect and sportsmanship.
Today’s decision means the University of Illinois, Champaign, the University of North Dakota and Indiana University of Pennsylvania will only be invited to participate in NCAA championships if they elect to do so without Native American references on their uniforms and associated athletic program activities. It also means these institutions will not be allowed to host NCAA championship events.
Bradley University previously removed all Native American imagery associated with its athletics programs and only kept the generic nickname “Braves.” Based on information contained in Bradley’s appeal, the Executive Committee found Bradley demonstrated its ability to provide an environment that is not hostile or abusive and one that is consistent with the NCAA constitution and commitment to diversity, respect and sportsmanship. Bradley will be placed on a watch list for five years, during which time the NCAA will work with the school to assure that circumstances do not change. Bradley is allowed to fully participate in and host NCAA championships without restrictions.
In November, 2005, the NCAA removed championship restrictions on the University of Illinois, Champaign’s use of its nicknames “Illini” and “Fighting Illini” because the university demonstrated the nicknames were not a direct Native American reference, but a reference to the state of Illinois.
Over the last eight months, four institutions have been removed from the list because they have received approval from specific Native American “namesake” tribes for use of their names; six have remained on the list with one appeal pending; five institutions have changed or are in the process of changing their nicknames; three are pending NCAA staff review and one has now been put on a watch list. A document outlining the status of colleges and university subject to the restrictions on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA championships can be found in the Tools & Resources box above.
- - - - - - -
BACKGROUND
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NCAA Bars Use of Hostile Mascot Names from Tournaments; NAJA Asks
Media Outlets to Immediately Stop Using Offensive Mascot Names
VERMILLION, S.D. - Aug. 6, 2005 - In light of the NCAA's decision to
bar "hostile" or "abusive" mascots and nicknames from NCAA
tournaments and events, the Native American Journalists Association
(NAJA) asks media outlets to immediately stop using offensive Indian
mascots and nicknames in their sports coverage.
"It's no coincidence that all 18 colleges and universities identified
Friday by the NCAA have Indian nicknames," said NAJA president Dan
Lewerenz (Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska). "One cannot call a team
the 'Savages,' deck them out in Indian imagery, and say with a
straight face that it's an honor. One should not continue to 'honor'
a tribe by using the tribe's name against the tribe's wishes. The
NCAA has recognized that - now it's time for the industry to do so."
The NCAA announced Friday it would stop the use of abusive and
hostile American Indian nicknames words and images in postseason
tournaments. Starting in February, any school with a nickname or
logo considered racially or ethnically disparaging by the NCAA would
be prohibited from using them in postseason events. Mascots will not
be allowed to perform at tournament games, and band members and
cheerleaders will also be barred from using American Indians on their
uniforms beginning in 2008. Major college football teams are not
subject to the ban because there is no official NCAA tournament.
"These terribly racist names, like Redskins and Savages, and the
mocking caricatures, like the Cleveland Indians' Chief Wahoo and the
University of Illinois' dancing Chief Illiniwek, would not be
tolerated by any other ethnic group in America," Lewerenz said. "That
newspapers, television, radio and Internet news sites continue to use
them - even exploit them for clever-sounding, but stereotyping,
headlines and catch phrases - is not acceptable either."
For years, NAJA has encouraged the news industry to review its
policies regarding Indian mascots and nicknames, and has pointed to
examples, like "The Oregonian" of Portland, Ore., that have adopted
specific policies against certain mascots and images. An example of
some of those newspapers and policies can be found in NAJA's 2003
"Reading Red Report" at
http://www.naja.com/resources/publicati ... ng-red.pdf
Contacts:
Dan Lewerenz, NAJA Board President
307-214-1187 or danlewerenz@bresnan.net
Kim Baca, Interim Executive Director
605-677-5282 or kim@naja.com
- - - - - - -
NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events
For Immediate Release
Friday, August 5 , 2005
INDIANAPOLIS --- The presidents and chancellors who serve on the NCAA Executive Committee have adopted a new policy to prohibit NCAA colleges and universities from displaying hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames or imagery at any of the 88 NCAA championships.
The Executive Committee, meeting Thursday in Indianapolis, also approved recommended best practices for schools who continue to use Native American mascots, nicknames and imagery in their intercollegiate athletic programs.
"Colleges and universities may adopt any mascot that they wish, as that is an institutional matter," said Walter Harrison, chair of the Executive Committee and president at the University of Hartford.
"But as a national association, we believe that mascots, nicknames or images deemed hostile or abusive in terms of race, ethnicity or national origin should not be visible at the championship events that we control."
The policy prohibiting colleges or universities with hostile or abusive mascots, nicknames or imagery from hosting any NCAA championship competitions takes effect February 1, 2006.
"The NCAA objects to institutions using racial/ethnic/national origin references in their intercollegiate athletics programs," said NCAA President Myles Brand.
"Several institutions have made changes that adhere to the core values of the NCAA Constitution pertaining to cultural diversity, ethical sportsmanship and nondiscrimination. We applaud that, and we will continue to monitor these institutions and others. All institutions are encouraged to promote these core values and take proactive steps at every NCAA event through institutional event management to enhance the integrity of intercollegiate athletics related to these issues."
Other elements of the policy approved Thursday require that institutions with hostile or abusive references must take reasonable steps to cover up those references at any predetermined NCAA championship site that has been previously awarded, effective February 1, 2006.
Institutions displaying or promoting hostile or abusive references on their mascots, cheerleaders, dance teams and band uniforms or paraphernalia are prohibited from wearing the material at NCAA championships, effective August 1, 2008.
Last, and effective immediately, institutions with student-athletes wearing uniforms or having paraphernalia with hostile or abusive references must ensure that those uniforms or paraphernalia not be worn or displayed at NCAA championship competitions.
Harrison stressed that institutions affected by the new policy can seek further review of the matter through the NCAA governing structure.
The committee also strongly suggested that institutions follow the best practices of institutions that do not support the use of Native American mascots or imagery.
Model institutions include the University of Iowa and University of Wisconsin, who have practices of not scheduling athletic competitions with schools who use Native American nicknames, imagery or mascots.
Additionally, the committee suggested that institutions should review their publications and written materials for hostile and abusive references and remove those depictions, which is the current policy of the NCAA National Office.
Last, member institutions are encouraged to educate their internal and external constituents on the understanding and awareness of the negative impact of hostile or abusive symbols, names and imagery, and to create a greater level of knowledge of Native American culture through outreach efforts and other means of communication.
The recommendations stemmed from discussions in June at the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interest Committee (MOIC) meeting in Boston. Those recommendations were forwarded to the Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues earlier this week. The subcommittee then forwarded its recommended changes to the Executive Committee, which is the highest ranking committee in the NCAA governance structure.
Three events prompted initial discussion on mascots within the Association in April 2001—membership feedback; ongoing issues surrounding the Confederate Battle Flag; and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ statement on the use of American Indian imagery as sports symbols.
In November 2004, 33 schools were asked to submit self evaluations to the NCAA National Office to determine the extent, if any, of the use of Native American imagery or references on their campuses. Specific aspects of the self evaluations centered on three NCAA Constitution principles that reference cultural diversity and gender equity (Article 2.2.2); the principle of sportsmanship and ethical conduct (Article 2.4); and the principle of nondiscrimination (Article 2.6).
Eighteen colleges and universities continue to use Native American imagery or references and are subject to the new policy:
Alcorn State University (Braves)
Central Michigan University (Chippewas)
Catawba College (Indians)
Florida State University (Seminoles)
Midwestern State University (Indians)
University of Utah (Utes)
Indiana University-Pennsylvania (Indians)
Carthage College (Redmen)
Bradley University (Braves)
Arkansas State University (Indians)
Chowan College (Braves)
University of Illinois-Champaign (Illini)
University of Louisiana-Monroe (Indians)
McMurry University (Indians)
Mississippi College (Choctaws)
Newberry College (Indians)
University of North Dakota (Fighting Sioux)
Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Savages)
Fourteen schools have removed all references to Native American culture or were deemed not to have references to Native American culture as part of their athletics programs: California State-Stanislaus University; Lycoming College; Winona State University; Hawaii-Manoa University; Eastern Connecticut State University; East Stroudsburg University; Husson College; Merrimack College; Southeast Missouri State University; State University of West Georgia; Stonehill College; San Diego State University; Wisconsin Lutheran College; and the University of North Carolina-Pembroke.
The College of William and Mary has been given an extension to complete its self-study on the mascot issue.
Contact
Bob Williams
Managing Director of Public and Media Relations
317/917-6117
- - - - - - -
BACKGROUND
American Indian Sports Team mascots
http://www.aistm.org
- Natives as Sports Mascots
Cancel Washington Redskins DerogatoryTrademarked Name
by Derogatory Redskins » Sat Aug 12, 2006 6:03 pm
Native Americans Renew Demand for U.S. Patent Office to Cancel Derogatory 'Redskins' Trademark
Friday August 11, 2006
WASHINGTON
Six well-respected Native American young people today filed a joint petition with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for cancellation of the Washington Redskins football organization (Pro-Football, Inc.) trademarked term "Redskins."
A similar petition was filed in 1992 by a group of prominent Native American leaders. Both petitions call for the cancellation of the federal government's registration of all related trademarks because their use is disparaging to Native Americans. The petitions cite extensive evidence concerning the history of the use of the term "Redskin" and public perception of the objectionable term. Both sets of petitioners are represented pro bono by the law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.
"This public act of allegiance by Native American youth with the efforts of their elders to combat intolerance is truly heroic and reflects a courageous willingness on the part of these young people to protect Native peoples from slurs and vulgarities," said Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne and Muscogee), lead petitioner in the original case and president of The Morning Star Institute, a non-profit American Indian advocacy group.
"The term 'Redskins' is an extraordinarily insensitive and derogatory term and one that should not be granted exclusive trademark licenses by the federal government," Harjo said. "In concert with our original purpose, this new, younger group of Native Americans hopes this legal action will convince the Washington team owners and others that disparaging terms should be consigned to museums and history books."
The original petition was brought in 1992 by a group of Native Americans from across the country. In 1999, the TTAB canceled the "Redskins" registrations on the grounds that the term was disparaging.
Pro-Football, Inc. appealed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which in 2003 reversed the TTAB's decision on disparagement. The court also determined that the petitioners were barred by "laches," a legal doctrine applied when a court decides that a party has taken too long to assert a right or claim and that the passage of time is deemed prejudicial to an adverse party.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reviewed the lower court's ruling in 2005, and did not rule on the disparagement issue, but determined that laches may not bar the petition of the youngest petitioner, Mateo Romero, because he reached the age of majority in 1984 and, therefore, may not be chargeable with prejudicial delay. The appeals court sent the case back to the District Court for a determination of whether Romero's case is barred by laches. The case is pending.
"While we will continue the vigorous pursuit of Mateo Romero's claim to what we hope will be a successful conclusion, these new petitioners make it much more likely that this matter will ultimately be resolved on the merits, rather than on the basis of laches," said Philip Mause, partner at Drinker Biddle and pro bono counsel for both the original and new petitioners.
"The young Native Americans who came forward to file these petitions -- ranging in age from 18 to 24 -- will not likely be subject to a successful laches defense. Therefore their cases should be resolved solely on the merits -- the issue of disparagement," Mause said. "Our desire for a resolution of this issue on the merits is based upon the overwhelming -- and unchanged -- evidence that the trademarks are disparaging and should be cancelled."
The Native American youth who filed the petition today are:
Jillian Pappan, 19, is a member of the Native American Journalists Association, a member of the Omaha Tribe of Macy, Neb., which is a federally recognized Native American tribe, and an Iowa resident.
Shquanebin Lone-Bentley, 19, a citizen of the Tonawanda Band of the Seneca Nation, People of the Longhouse, and member of the Hawk Clan, sees the petition as a way to combat negative public stereotypes about Native Americans. She also firmly believes that the petition is widely supported across the Native American population. "As was said by one of the original petitioners -- the late Vine Deloria, 'This is not a disenfranchised few calling for something only a handful agree with,'" she said. "We support the petitioners in the original case and we are in turn supported by our people across the country, including all the major national American Indian organizations. We share a deep feeling of offense at the term." Ms. Lone- Bentley is also a member of the National Congress of American Indians and the American Indian Society.
Phillip Gover, 23, is the former head of the Native American Student Union at the University of Virginia, an enrolled member of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, a federally recognized Native American tribe, and a Virginia resident. He sees the issue as stemming from a historical stereotype that has now permeated into the common vernacular. "Taken from a historical perspective, the only connotation that can be associated with the word 'redskin' is an offensive, demeaning one," Gover said. "Linguistic experts and historians have confirmed, and it is evident in film, dictionaries and print media throughout the last few centuries that the term carries and conveys a derogatory connotation."
Amanda Blackhorse, 24, reaffirms the contentions of her fellow petitioners. "If organizations and institutions are allowed to continue to use these terms, they become engrained in our heads as acceptable," she said. "If any other group or ethnicity or religious group was offended, there would be a deafening outcry." Blackhorse is a member of Not in Our Honor, a student advocacy group aimed at protesting disparaging mascots. She is also an advocate for indigenous women at Women's Transitional Care Services, is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, a federally recognized tribe, and is a Kansas resident.
An Oklahoma City University student and board member of the General Commission on Religion and Race, Courtney Tsotigh, 18, also has seen this term used recklessly and with abandon. "To recognize that this is a term that makes Native American persons feel contempt and ridicule, the TTAB must grant cancellation," she said. "The term denotes a second-class citizen standing -- as if discrimination is permitted in the public spectrum ... and the marketplace." Tsotigh is an enrolled member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, a federally recognized Native American tribe, and an Oklahoma resident.
Marcus Briggs, 22, a counselor for the Indian Youth of America, president of the Society of Native American Gentlemen of Oklahoma University and a recipient of numerous Native American Leadership Awards, is Miccosukee and Muscogee, a member of the Creek Tribe of Florida, and a resident of Florida.
The petition was formally announced on Friday, August 11, 2006, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the Native American Journalism Conference and at 1:30 PM EDT from the law firm Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in Washington, D.C.
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP is a full-service, national law firm established in 1849. For more information, please visit http://www.DrinkerBiddle.com
Friday August 11, 2006
WASHINGTON
Six well-respected Native American young people today filed a joint petition with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for cancellation of the Washington Redskins football organization (Pro-Football, Inc.) trademarked term "Redskins."
A similar petition was filed in 1992 by a group of prominent Native American leaders. Both petitions call for the cancellation of the federal government's registration of all related trademarks because their use is disparaging to Native Americans. The petitions cite extensive evidence concerning the history of the use of the term "Redskin" and public perception of the objectionable term. Both sets of petitioners are represented pro bono by the law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.
"This public act of allegiance by Native American youth with the efforts of their elders to combat intolerance is truly heroic and reflects a courageous willingness on the part of these young people to protect Native peoples from slurs and vulgarities," said Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne and Muscogee), lead petitioner in the original case and president of The Morning Star Institute, a non-profit American Indian advocacy group.
"The term 'Redskins' is an extraordinarily insensitive and derogatory term and one that should not be granted exclusive trademark licenses by the federal government," Harjo said. "In concert with our original purpose, this new, younger group of Native Americans hopes this legal action will convince the Washington team owners and others that disparaging terms should be consigned to museums and history books."
The original petition was brought in 1992 by a group of Native Americans from across the country. In 1999, the TTAB canceled the "Redskins" registrations on the grounds that the term was disparaging.
Pro-Football, Inc. appealed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which in 2003 reversed the TTAB's decision on disparagement. The court also determined that the petitioners were barred by "laches," a legal doctrine applied when a court decides that a party has taken too long to assert a right or claim and that the passage of time is deemed prejudicial to an adverse party.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reviewed the lower court's ruling in 2005, and did not rule on the disparagement issue, but determined that laches may not bar the petition of the youngest petitioner, Mateo Romero, because he reached the age of majority in 1984 and, therefore, may not be chargeable with prejudicial delay. The appeals court sent the case back to the District Court for a determination of whether Romero's case is barred by laches. The case is pending.
"While we will continue the vigorous pursuit of Mateo Romero's claim to what we hope will be a successful conclusion, these new petitioners make it much more likely that this matter will ultimately be resolved on the merits, rather than on the basis of laches," said Philip Mause, partner at Drinker Biddle and pro bono counsel for both the original and new petitioners.
"The young Native Americans who came forward to file these petitions -- ranging in age from 18 to 24 -- will not likely be subject to a successful laches defense. Therefore their cases should be resolved solely on the merits -- the issue of disparagement," Mause said. "Our desire for a resolution of this issue on the merits is based upon the overwhelming -- and unchanged -- evidence that the trademarks are disparaging and should be cancelled."
The Native American youth who filed the petition today are:
Jillian Pappan, 19, is a member of the Native American Journalists Association, a member of the Omaha Tribe of Macy, Neb., which is a federally recognized Native American tribe, and an Iowa resident.
Shquanebin Lone-Bentley, 19, a citizen of the Tonawanda Band of the Seneca Nation, People of the Longhouse, and member of the Hawk Clan, sees the petition as a way to combat negative public stereotypes about Native Americans. She also firmly believes that the petition is widely supported across the Native American population. "As was said by one of the original petitioners -- the late Vine Deloria, 'This is not a disenfranchised few calling for something only a handful agree with,'" she said. "We support the petitioners in the original case and we are in turn supported by our people across the country, including all the major national American Indian organizations. We share a deep feeling of offense at the term." Ms. Lone- Bentley is also a member of the National Congress of American Indians and the American Indian Society.
Phillip Gover, 23, is the former head of the Native American Student Union at the University of Virginia, an enrolled member of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, a federally recognized Native American tribe, and a Virginia resident. He sees the issue as stemming from a historical stereotype that has now permeated into the common vernacular. "Taken from a historical perspective, the only connotation that can be associated with the word 'redskin' is an offensive, demeaning one," Gover said. "Linguistic experts and historians have confirmed, and it is evident in film, dictionaries and print media throughout the last few centuries that the term carries and conveys a derogatory connotation."
Amanda Blackhorse, 24, reaffirms the contentions of her fellow petitioners. "If organizations and institutions are allowed to continue to use these terms, they become engrained in our heads as acceptable," she said. "If any other group or ethnicity or religious group was offended, there would be a deafening outcry." Blackhorse is a member of Not in Our Honor, a student advocacy group aimed at protesting disparaging mascots. She is also an advocate for indigenous women at Women's Transitional Care Services, is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, a federally recognized tribe, and is a Kansas resident.
An Oklahoma City University student and board member of the General Commission on Religion and Race, Courtney Tsotigh, 18, also has seen this term used recklessly and with abandon. "To recognize that this is a term that makes Native American persons feel contempt and ridicule, the TTAB must grant cancellation," she said. "The term denotes a second-class citizen standing -- as if discrimination is permitted in the public spectrum ... and the marketplace." Tsotigh is an enrolled member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, a federally recognized Native American tribe, and an Oklahoma resident.
Marcus Briggs, 22, a counselor for the Indian Youth of America, president of the Society of Native American Gentlemen of Oklahoma University and a recipient of numerous Native American Leadership Awards, is Miccosukee and Muscogee, a member of the Creek Tribe of Florida, and a resident of Florida.
The petition was formally announced on Friday, August 11, 2006, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the Native American Journalism Conference and at 1:30 PM EDT from the law firm Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in Washington, D.C.
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP is a full-service, national law firm established in 1849. For more information, please visit http://www.DrinkerBiddle.com
- Derogatory Redskins
“Indians” and the Indian Family, officially retired
by Nickname, Mascot GONE! » Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:28 pm
ASU to conduct farewell ceremony for Indians mascot at Feb. 28 game
Feb. 13, 2008 -- Arkansas State University's athletic nickname and mascot, “Indians” and the Indian Family, will be officially retired in a halftime ceremony of the men’s basketball game between ASU and Louisiana-Monroe Thursday, Feb. 28, at the ASU Convocation Center in Jonesboro.
Although the names and imagery regarding "Indians" will be officially retired, ASU’s team names for the school’s 16 NCAA Division I sports will remain "Indians" until the conclusion of the current school year. This event will be a celebration and farewell.
The ceremony will conclude a year-long project centered around following directives from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) which declared that educational institutions with Native American nicknames and imagery would not be allowed to use the names or imagery at postseason competition.
In conjunction with the formation of the Mascot Selection Steering Committee, ASU Chancellor Dr. Robert Potts appointed a Mascot Retirement Committee headed by Richard Carvell, assistant professor of radio-television and director of broadcasting at ASU, to begin planning for a retirement ceremony.
“The retirement committee represented all university constituencies and tried to design a ceremony that will be staged with class and dignity to reflect favorably upon the university and the action it is taking to comply with the NCAA policy,” said Carvell. “Former students who portrayed the Indian Family during their undergraduate years at ASU will be special guests of the university during the February 28th ceremony. We think it will be a very moving event that many will remember for some time to come.”
The name “Indians” officially became the school’s athletic nickname in 1931 following “Aggies” in 1911 (sometimes called “Farmers”), “Gorillas” in 1925, and then “Warriors” in 1930. “Indians” is taken from the heritage of the state of Arkansas from the Osage tribe which made its home in Northern Arkansas before white (or European) settlers arrived.
During the 18th century, the Osage were at war with nearly all other tribes of the plains as well as with the woodland tribes. For that reason, the name evolved from respect for the fighting spirit which dwelled among the Indians of Northern Arkansas.
The school’s official athletic mascot, the Indian Family, is a trio of students attired in authentic Native American wear. Chief Big Track, named after the legendary chief of the Osage tribe, is the head of the family. There is also an unnamed princess and brave.
Tipoff for the men’s game is 7:35 p.m. ASU’s women’s team will play the first game of the doubleheader with ULM at 5:35 p.m.
More . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/ ... =5935#5935
Feb. 13, 2008 -- Arkansas State University's athletic nickname and mascot, “Indians” and the Indian Family, will be officially retired in a halftime ceremony of the men’s basketball game between ASU and Louisiana-Monroe Thursday, Feb. 28, at the ASU Convocation Center in Jonesboro.
Although the names and imagery regarding "Indians" will be officially retired, ASU’s team names for the school’s 16 NCAA Division I sports will remain "Indians" until the conclusion of the current school year. This event will be a celebration and farewell.
The ceremony will conclude a year-long project centered around following directives from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) which declared that educational institutions with Native American nicknames and imagery would not be allowed to use the names or imagery at postseason competition.
In conjunction with the formation of the Mascot Selection Steering Committee, ASU Chancellor Dr. Robert Potts appointed a Mascot Retirement Committee headed by Richard Carvell, assistant professor of radio-television and director of broadcasting at ASU, to begin planning for a retirement ceremony.
“The retirement committee represented all university constituencies and tried to design a ceremony that will be staged with class and dignity to reflect favorably upon the university and the action it is taking to comply with the NCAA policy,” said Carvell. “Former students who portrayed the Indian Family during their undergraduate years at ASU will be special guests of the university during the February 28th ceremony. We think it will be a very moving event that many will remember for some time to come.”
The name “Indians” officially became the school’s athletic nickname in 1931 following “Aggies” in 1911 (sometimes called “Farmers”), “Gorillas” in 1925, and then “Warriors” in 1930. “Indians” is taken from the heritage of the state of Arkansas from the Osage tribe which made its home in Northern Arkansas before white (or European) settlers arrived.
During the 18th century, the Osage were at war with nearly all other tribes of the plains as well as with the woodland tribes. For that reason, the name evolved from respect for the fighting spirit which dwelled among the Indians of Northern Arkansas.
The school’s official athletic mascot, the Indian Family, is a trio of students attired in authentic Native American wear. Chief Big Track, named after the legendary chief of the Osage tribe, is the head of the family. There is also an unnamed princess and brave.
Tipoff for the men’s game is 7:35 p.m. ASU’s women’s team will play the first game of the doubleheader with ULM at 5:35 p.m.
More . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/ ... =5935#5935
- Nickname, Mascot GONE!
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