Background Information Supporting Recommendations for a NAEA Position
Statement Regarding the Use of Indian Mascots by non-Native American Schools and
Educational Institutions
Christine Ballengee-Morris, Cherokee Nation
Associate Professor of Art Education, Ohio State University
Doug Blandy
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Professor and Program Director Arts and
Administration Program, Director of the Institute for Community Arts Studies
Laura Chapman
Consultant and writer on arts education, Cincinnati, Ohio
Sheng Kuan Chung
Associate Professor of Art Education, University of Houston
Kristin Congdon
Professor of Art and Philosophy, University of Central Florida
Vesta Daniel
Professor of Art Education, Ohio State University
Elizabeth Delacruz,
Associate Professor of Art Education, University of Illinois at Urbana
Phoebe Farris, Powhatan-Renape Nation/Pamunkey Tribe
Professor of Art Education, Purdue University
Olivia Gude
Professor, School of Art and Design, University of Illinois at Chicago
Wanda Knight
Associate Professor of Art Education, Pennsylvania State University
Ashley Minner, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
Community Artist & Art Educator, Baltimore Area Indian Center
James H. Sanders, III
Associate Professor Arts Policy & Administration Program, Ohio State University
Patricia Stuhr
Professor and Chair, Dept. of Art Education, Ohio State University
Steve Willis, Western Cherokee Nation
Associate Professor, Dept. of Art + Design, Missouri State University
Preface
Like all people of the earth, First Nations people 1 throughout the Americas believe in and
maintain a complex set of artistic, cultural, spiritual, educational, familial, and political practices.
We refer to this array of practices as cultural practices, recognizing that in many instances, the
artistic is not separate from the spiritual, political, and educational. These cultural practices
connect First Nations people to their communities, tribes, and histories. These practices embody
deeply felt and strongly revered cultural traditions and values amongst First Nations people, and
they convey those values, often times with great generosity and creativity, to non-First Nations
people. First Nations creative and cultural practices continue to thrive and evolve today. Some
First Nations practices contradict earlier practices, some practices have remained relatively
unchanged over time, and other practices are contemporary intercultural hybridizations of past
and present practices. First Nations peoples’ cultural practices are currently experienced,
expressed, and conveyed to others, then, as living culture – vibrant, dynamic, multidimensional,
and subject to individual interpretation and expression amongst First Nations people.
Recommendations for a NAEA Position Statement Regarding the Use of Indian
Mascots by non-Native American Schools and Educational Institutions
The National Art Education Association (NAEA) upholds the following values: We believe in
“the value of the arts to develop the human potential.” 2 We “embrace diversity of peoples,
philosophies, and cultural histories in instruction, consistently modeling for students the
importance of understanding and valuing others.” 3 We hold that “students of the arts disciplines
gain powerful tools for understanding human experiences, both past and present; learning to
adapt to and respect others' (often very different) ways of thinking. ” 4 Because we believe that
“the visual arts serve as a humanizing force, giving dignity and a sense of worth to the
individual,” 5 and we believe that professional growth, change and leadership best occurs
through “valuing our diversity and committing ourselves to equity,” 6 we also maintain that
educational institutions should (a) convey historically accurate information about the artistic and
cultural traditions of diverse people; (b) convey historically accurate information about the
people who have created and now maintain diverse artistic and cultural traditions, and (c)
endeavor to eliminate practices in educational settings that misinform others about the cultural
practices of diverse people, that perpetuate derogatory racial, ethnic, religious, or cultural
stereotypes, and/or that harm children and families.
Complex and varied practices associated with the use of Indian Mascots in non-Native American
schools, educational, and cultural institutions exist throughout the USA. Regarding the use of
Indian mascots in non-Native American educational settings, in some cases such practices may
be contrary to our collective values as educators committed to the highest standards in
contemporary professional art education practice. Moreover, in some cases, some uses of Indian
mascots may not be in the best interests of the children, families, and communities we serve.
Based on NAEA’s constitution, core values, and standards, we therefore recommend that non-
Native American schools and individuals who use Indian mascots consider the following actions
in relation to their continued use of Indian Mascots; that is, to: (a) consult with and be informed
by the Native American Tribal Councils 7 in their own regions, (b) also consult with and be
informed by Tribal Councils whose ancestors once inhabited the land on which today’s schools
and communities reside, and (c) to be responsive to and guided by these Tribal Councils
regarding school-affiliated practices involving the use of Indian Mascots.
We recognize that when non-Native American schools and universities chose Indian mascots it
was not their intention to demean others. We recognize that people connected to these schools
and universities often associate these mascots with positive experiences of community and local
tradition. However, in light of requests from many Nation American Tribal Councils, requests
from highly respected organizations representing Native American peoples, and in light of
contemporary understanding of the psychological harm to all people inflicted by the
perpetuation of racial stereotypes, we call on non-Native American schools and individuals,
when asked to do so by those Native American Tribal Councils most closely associated with the
Indian Mascots in use by these schools, to consider how relinquishing the use of Indian mascots
contributes to creating a more just and equitable multi-cultural society. As artist educators, we
pledge to use our skills to aid communities in mourning the loss of a familiar tradition, in
understanding the necessity of doing so, and in generating new positive symbols to represent
their schools and communities.
Endnotes:
1. In the USA many individuals use the term Native American. In Canada individuals often
use the term First Nations when referring to the indigenous people who inhabit the
Americas. These two terms are also frequently used interchangeably. We used the term
First Nations in the Preamble of this document to signify the importance of the fact that
the many people who lived in the Americas prior to the arrival of Europeans were nations
possessing all the attributes of nationhood: sovereignty, an articulated system of self-
governance, laws, transportation systems, trade, cooperation, multi-nation
confederations, and warfare with neighboring nations, etc. Because the term Native
American may be better understood in the USA, and because this document is directed to
the leadership of the NAEA, a USA based organization with international interests,
throughout the remainder of this document we use the term Native American. Native
American tribes have specific recognition and legal status in US constitution and later laws
as sovereign “dependent domestic nations” within the US. *See Endnote 7.
2. See National Art Education Association Constitution and Bylaws, 1999, p. 1,
available at http://www.arteducators.org/about-us/Constitution.pdf
3. See National Art Education Association Professional Standards for Visual Arts
Educators, 2009, p. 1, available at http://www.naea-
reston.org/research/NAEA_Art_Ed_Stds.pdf
4. See National Visual Arts Standards, 1994, p. 2, available at
http://www.arteducators.org/store/NAEA_Natl_Visual_Standards1.pdf
5. See National Art Education Association Constitution and Bylaws, 1999, p. 1, available at
http://www.arteducators.org/about-us/Constitution.pdf; and National Art Education
Association Strategic Plan 2007–2010, 2007, p. 9, available at
http://www.arteducators.org/about-us/NAEAStrategicPlan_2007-2010.pdf
6. See National Art Education Association Strategic Plan 2007–2010, 2007, p. 6, available at
http://www.arteducators.org/about-us/NAEAStrategicPlan_2007-2010.pdf
7. In this document, the term Native American tribe refers to a Native American unit of
government having specific sovereignty, legal status, and recognition by the U.S.
constitution and later federal laws. The U.S. government recognizes Native American
tribes as “domestic dependent nations”. U.S. federal laws and courts have established
that Native American tribal nations possess inherent power over their internal affairs. In
this document, the term Native American Tribal Council refers specifically to the official
governing body of a Native American tribe. Under the principle of self-determination,
US federal laws and courts have empowered Tribal Councils and Tribal Courts with
authority to self-govern and make decisions concerning their people. See U.S. Dept. of
the Interior “American Indians and Alaska Natives” http://www.doi.gov/tribes/ and
“Native American Nations” http://www.doi.gov/whatwedo/firstamericans/. See also
C. L. Henson, (2009) “From War to Self-Determination: A history of the Bureau of
Indian Affairs”. http://www.americansc.org.uk/Online/indians.htm
Appendix A: Linking to the Theme of the 2010 Annual Conference of the National Art
Education Association: Social Justice
The linking of art education professional values and practices with the goals of social justice, the
theme of the 2010 NAEA Annual Conference, foregrounds our decision and collective belief as a
professional educational association that part of our mission as art educators is to engage and
challenge the persistence of social inequities in US society and beyond. We note that the decision
to engage and challenge the uses of Indian Mascots by non-Native American schools as a question
of social justice has already been made by many nationally respected scholarly, educational, and
professional organizations.
Native American Tribal Councils now consistently maintain that the persistent use of Indian
Mascots in contemporary non-Native American schools is a particularly insidious form of social
injustice, one that greatly hurts Native Americans, and in numerous ways. Indian Mascots, Tribal
Councils tell us, demean and misrepresent Native American history, culture, religious practices,
and creative forms of expression. Indian Mascots, Tribal Councils and Native American mothers
tell us, undermine the positive psychological development of Native American children.
Psychologists, anthropologists, sociologists, counselors, medical care providers, scholars who
have systematically studied the Indian Mascot issue, and state and national governmental
agencies concur. Indian Mascots hurt Native Americans, and these Mascots hurt Native
American children most of all. At the same time, these Indian Mascots teach nothing to non-
Native American children about the actual history, culture, creative achievements, or aspirations
of Native American Nations, past or present. What is learned by non-Native American children
from these Indian Mascots, symbols, and imagery, instead, is that Indians may be known and
celebrated as halftime entertainment in a sporting event, and that their likeness may be
misappropriated in the form of comical, large nosed, partially clothed, tomahawk wielding
Redskins, Savages, Chiefs, Braves, and the like. Civil society, those individuals working for the
common public good, no longer legitimize such objectionable “school-based” depictions of
racial groups in the US.
Appendix B: Why should the NAEA leadership make its values known concerning the
use of Indian Mascots?
Indian Mascots constitute a unique but pervasive form of school-sanctioned imagery,
symbolism, representation, community cultural expression, visual culture, and multicultural
education–all areas of interest currently within the scope of contemporary art education theory,
scholarship, and practice. With due regard for NAEA’s important role as the world’s largest
professional art education association, this statement affirms our mission, core values, and
standards as a profession concerned with intellectually honest and historically accurate
education, the valuing of art and cultures of diverse people, and most of all, the well being of the
young people in our care. Statements of values by the NAEA leadership clarifies our desire to
teach all children about the significance of creative artistic expression, to celebrate the diversity
of the many cultural expressions that rightly merit examination in our programs of study, and to
uphold the notion of human dignity and social justice as fundamental to our theories and
practices as art educators.
1. A statement of values and principles on the Indian mascot issue ensures that NAEA falls
within and resonates with standards of practice within the professional association
community. Many other scholarly, professional, and educational associations of our size
and status have already called for action similar to what is being proposed here.
2. By adding our voice to respected national professional, educational, and scholarly
associations, state boards of education, mental health organizations, religious
organizations, and U.S. governmental agencies that have already passed similar
resolutions; and to the voices of numerous Native American Tribal Councils that have
asked non-Native American schools and institutions to stop this practice, we endorse the
principles of historically accurate art education, diversity, justice, and educational equity.
3. As an organization concerned with the education of children about the art and cultures
of diverse peoples of the world, NAEA’s continued silence on this issue is contrary to its
mission. We note the appropriateness of this moment for such a statement to come
forth - a national conference of professional art educators dedicated to the principle of
social justice.
Appendix C: Background Information about Issues Surrounding Indian Mascots
According to the American Counseling Association, the American Psychological Association,
the American Sociological Association, the American Anthropological Association, the National
Education Association, the Modern Language Association, numerous other highly respected
national and international scholarly societies, and over 100 contemporary Native American
Tribal Councils, health care, educational, and professional associations, Indian mascots (1) cause
psychological damage to children, (2) perpetuate racism, and (3) miseducate the public.
1. The use of derogatory and inaccurate depictions of Native Americans in the form of
Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities by non-native American schools,
colleges, universities, and athletic teams psychologically damages the self-concept and
positive sense of self-identity of Native American children.
2. Inauthentic Indian Mascots and their performative and commercial permutations convey
incorrect and demeaning cultural and racial stereotypes about Native Americans, and
perpetuate racial hatred and social injustices against Native Americans.
3. These kinds of derogatory Indian mascots and their related practices miseducate people
about the authentic history, values, culture, religions, artistic expressions, and aspirations
of Native Americans, past and present.
Despite repeated requests by numerous Native American Tribal Councils, respected national
scholarly and professional associations, and governmental and professional health care
associations, the use of derogatory, inauthentic, and stereotypical imagery of Native Americans
persists in US non-Native American educational settings. Resistance to change takes the form of
claims that “The Indians in my district like our mascots,” “We are honoring Indians by doing
this,” “We don’t want outsiders or a ‘vocal minority’ telling us what to do,” “It’s not our job.”
Or “This is too political.” Resistance to change is often attributable to nostalgia for local school
and community practices, to misinformation about and indifference to the authentic history,
living culture, and aspirations of Native Americans, to lack of recognition of the underlying
political nature of all educational behaviors, to White privilege, and to recalcitrance.
Appendix D: Partial List of Resolutions and Statements Passed by Professional and
Scholarly Associations, U.S. Governmental Commissions, and Regulatory Agencies
American Counseling Association. Opposition to Use of Stereotypical Native American Images
as Sports Symbols and Mascots
http://www.counseling.org/PressRoom/NewsReleases.aspx?AGuid=244405dc-044e-46ae-aeac-
60ca1c8bd6dc
American Psychological Association. Resolution Recommending the Immediate Retirement of
American Indian Mascots, Symbols, Images. 2005.
http://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/policy/indian-mascots.pdf
American Sociological Association. Statement by the Council of the American Sociological
Association on Discontinuing the Use of Native American Nicknames, Logos and Mascots in
Sport
2007.
http://www.asanet.org/about/Council_Statements/use_of_native_american_nicknames_logos_
and_mascots.cfm
League of United Latin American Citizens Resolution 16: Support to Native Americans in their
campaign against racial slurs Passed at the LULAC National Convention on July 2, 2000
http://www.aistm.org/2000lulac.htm
Modern Language Association. Resolution 2 condemning the use of representations of native
peoples and other racial and ethnic groups and their cultural traditions as sports mascots or
symbols. Ratified June 1, 2001
http://www.mla.org/governance/mla_resolutions/2000_resolutions
National Association for Multicultural Education. Resolution on Recommending Replacement
of Indian Mascots Unanimously Approved by the NAME Board at the November 11, 2006
Phoenix AZ Conference Board Meeting
http://www.nameorg.org/resolutions/Resolution%20on%20Indian%20Mascots.pdf
NCAA Executive Committee Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship
Events. 2005.
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal/ncaahome?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/ncaa/NCAA/
Media%20and%20Events/Press%20Room/News%20Release%20Archive/2005/Announceme
nts/NCAA%20Executive%20Committee%20Issues%20Guidelines%20for%20Use%20of%20N
ative%20American%20Mascots%20at%20Championship%20Events
National Education Association. Resolution reaffirming its 1992 Resolution
NEA 2000 -2001
Resolutions
I-41. Use of Prejudicial Terms and Symbols
http://web.archive.org/web/20020812142244/http://www.nea.org/resolutions/00/00i-
41.html
National Education Association. Photocopy of Original 1992 NEA Resolution rejecting the use
of prejudicial and derogatory names and symbols of ethnic groups for school sporting teams and
mascots. http://netfiles.uiuc.edu/edelacru/www/nea_res.html
National Indian Education Association (NIEA), the oldest and largest Indian education
organization in the USA. 2009 resolution calling for the elimination of Indian logos, mascots,
and team names from educational institutions throughout our country.
http://www.nativetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2588:niea-
issues-resolution-calling-for-end-of-Indian-mascots&catid=50&Itemid=26 and
http://www.lemhi-shoshone.com/NIEA%20Resolution%2010-25-2009.pdf
The Society of Indian Psychologists (SIP) of the Americas. Letter in support of "retiring" all
Indian personalities as the official symbols and mascots of universities, colleges or schools (and
athletic teams). 1999. http://www.aics.org/mascot/society.html
NAACP. The NAACP actively supports the American Indian movement in its effort to force
sports teams to discontinue the use of "Indian" team names, mascots, and other imagery that
stereotype and caricature the sacred rituals and culture of Native Americans. ORIGINAL
ADOPTED RESOLUTION 1992: “Indian Sports Team Mascots and Names”
http://www.naacp.org/pdfs/resolutions/Policy_Handbook_Draft-5.9.07.pdf
NAACP. 1992 Resolution. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP actively
support the American Indian movement in its effort to force sports teams to discontinue the use
of "Indian" team names, mascots, and other imagery that stereotype and caricature the sacred
rituals and culture of Native Americans. http://www.aistm.org/naacp_1992_resolution.htm
SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF THE INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES OF THE
AMERICAS.
1999 unanimous adoption of the resolution: We, the members of the Society for
the Study of the Indigenous Languages of the Americas, urge the administration and trustees of
the University of Illinois to replace their “Chief Illiniwek” symbol with one that does not
promote inaccurate, anachronistic, and damaging stereotypes of Native American people, or
indeed members of any minority group. http://www.ssila.org/ link to #91, July 16, 1999.
The Southern Poverty Law Center Letter to University of Illinois Board of Trustees charging
that the University's school symbol violated federal civil rights law. April 2000.
http://www.splcenter.org/news/item.jsp?aid=49
Also supporting the elimination of Indian Mascots:
• Asian American Journalists Association
• Native American Journalists Association http://www.aistm.org/1994naja.htm
• National Association of Black Journalists
• National Association of Hispanic Journalists
United States Government Statements, Policies, and Actions
United States Senate
Report 110 -083 - A JOINT RESOLUTION TO ACKNOWLEDGE A
LONG HISTORY OF OFFICIAL DEPREDATIONS AND ILL-CONCEIVED POLICIES
BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT REGARDING INDIAN TRIBES AND
OFFER AN APOLOGY TO ALL NATIVE PEOPLES ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED
STATES
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(sr083)
United States Senate
S.J.RES.4 Title: A joint resolution to acknowledge a long history of
official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the United States Government regarding
Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:S.J.RES.4:
US House of Representatives
H.J.RES.68
Title: To acknowledge a long history of official
depredations and ill-conceived policies by the United States Government regarding Indian tribes
and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HJ00003:
United States Commission on Civil Rights. Statement of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
on the Use of Native American Images and Nicknames as Sports Symbols.
2001.
http://www.usccr.gov/press/archives/2001/041601st.htm
US Census Bureau. CENSUS 2000 INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM NO. 37
Resolution: Census 2000 promotional activities and materials will feature only those teams that
promote or enhance cultural sensitivity and multi-culturalism and will not feature teams
(including semi-pro teams) that use American Indian or Alaska Native related names or images.
If an athlete from a team that uses an American Indian or Alaska Native name or image is doing
promotional work in support of Census 2000, he or she should be referred to as a member of
the professional (sport) team for the city, rather than using the team name or logo.
http://www.aistm.org/2000census.htm
U.S. Department of the Interior. Statement regarding Native American Nations: “We recognize
that a legacy of injustice and broken promises shapes the history of the federal government’s
relationship with the American Indian and Alaska Native people. We are therefore working to
turn the page on the federal government’s pattern of neglect of this community and, instead,
build a strategy for empowerment that helps the tribal nations forge futures of their own
choosing”. http://www.doi.gov/whatwedo/firstamericans/
Recent Court Cases. 2010. Amici curiae Petition before the US Supreme Court regarding
Washington Redskins Trademark. “…symbols and epithets that demean, and promote negative
stereotypes of, significant groups within American society set back social progress and equality.”
http://www.narf.org/sct/harjovpro-football/amicus_social_justice.pdf
State and Local Departments, Boards of Education, and State Governmental Agencies:
Governors' Interstate Indian Council. (A national organization established in 1949 by what is
now the National Governors' Association to promote and enhance government relations
between Tribal Nations and the states.) Resolution on Native American Mascots.
http://www.main.nc.us/wncceib/GIICResolution.htm
Iowa Civil Rights Commission
Resolution Opposing the Use of Native American Images,
Mascots, and Team Names in Iowa
http://www.aistm.org/2002iowa.civil.rights.htm
Kansas Human Rights Commission. Policy urging the discontinuance of Indian-mascots
http://www.racismagainstindians.org/Resolutions/Resolutions_KansasCommissionOfCivilRigh
ts.htm
Maryland State Department of Education. Resolution adopted by the Achievement Initiative for
Maryland’s Minority Students (AIMMS) Steering Committee
http://www.racismagainstindians.org/Resolutions/Resolutions_MarylandStateDepartmentOfE
ducation.htm
Michigan State Board of Education
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mascots_69612_7.res.pdf
Michigan Education Association Michigan Civil Rights Commission Report on Use of
Nicknames, Logos and Mascots Depicting Native American People in Michigan Education
Institutions
http://www.racismagainstindians.org/Resolutions/Resolutions_MichiganCivilRigh
tsCommission.htm
Minnesota State Board of Education The STATE OF MINNESOTA
URGING THE
ELIMINATION OF THE USE OF RACIALLY DEROGATORY MASCOTS, SYMBOLS,
OR EMBLEMS IN SCHOOLS
http://www.racismagainstindians.org/Resolutions/Resolutions_StateOfMinnesota.htm
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board
Minnesota Indian Education Association
Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs
http://www.aistm.org/nebres.htm
New Hampshire State Board of Education. Resolution
http://www.aistm.org/2002.nh.state.ed.htm
New York State Education Department of Education
South Dakota Board of Education.
Resolution of the South Dakota Board of Education
http://www.racismagainstindians.org/Resolutions/Resolutions_SouthDakotaBoardOfEducatio
n.htm
Tennessee Commission on Indian Affairs Resolution for the Discontinuation of Native
American Indian mascots in the State of Tennessee
http://aistm.org/fr.education.htm
Washington State Board of Education Resolution
http://www.racismagainstindians.org/Resolutions/Resolutions_WashingtonStateDepartmentOf
Education.htm
Native American Commissions, Agencies, Associations, Tribal Councils of Recognized
North American Indian Tribes who have called for the elimination of Indian Mascots
American Indian Sports Team Mascots. FAQs about the institutionalized use of "Indian" sports
team tokens
http://aistm.org/fr.faqs.htm
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
Buncombe County Native American Intertribal Association (North Carolina)
Eagle and Condor Indigenous Peoples’ Alliance (The Eagle and Condor Indigenous Peoples’
Alliance is an organization of people indigenous to the State of Oklahoma.)
Resolution by the
Eagle and Condor Indigenous Peoples’ Alliance on Eliminating Native American Indian
Descriptions Naming Mascots, Logos, and Sports Team Nicknames in Oklahoma Public
Schools
http://aistm.org/fr.groups.htm
Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council Resolution 2006-01.03
Address to Public School Districts
Regarding Indian Nicknames, Logos and Mascots
http://aistm.org/fr.education.htm
Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission
INTER-TRIBAL Council of the FIVE CIVILIZED Tribes. Chickasaw, Choctaw, Cherokee,
Muscogee (Creek), and Seminole Nations, representing over 400,000 Indian people
throughout the United States Resolution No. 2001 – 08
http://www.fivecivilizedtribes.org/Portals/9/Docs/resolution2001-08.pdf
Juaneño Band of Mission Indians
http://www.aistm.org/2000juaneno.resolution.htm
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians (Michigan)
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Harbor Springs, MI
RESOLUTION # 032005 -
04
CONDEMNING THE USE OF INDIAN LIKENESSES OR CULTURAL ITEMS AS
MASCOTS, LOGOS OR NICKNAMES
http://aistm.org/fr.trailblazers.htm
Medicine Wheel Intertribal Association (Louisiana)
http://www.aistm.org/medicine_wheel_resolution.htm
Menominee Tribe of Indians (Wisconsin)
National Congress of American Indians. Resolution in Support for NCAA Ban on “Indian"
Mascots. Adopted at the 62nd Annual Convention, Tulsa, OK, 2005.
http://www.ncai.org/ncai/data/resolution/annual2005/TUL-05-087.pdf
National Congress of American Indians. NCAI is a major national intertribal tribal government
organization serving Native American Nations. Founded in 1944, The NCAI works to inform
the public and Congress on the governmental rights of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
NCAI Position Statement: ANTI-DEFAMATION AND MASCOTS. "For most
Americans the days of overt and institutional racism where thought to have become a
distant memory. At one time symbols like the "Black Sambo" and "Frito Bandito" were
commonly accepted by mainstream America as playful marketing tools. That was the
past, times have changed and America has supposedly grown up and away from such
potent symbols of racism. However, for American Indians this practice continues. From
the racially-derived "Washington Redskins" to the war-like "Florida Seminoles",
American Indian mascots are found at the professional sports level as well as the high
school and college levels. Far from honoring Native Americans, these mascots are a
national insult, and represent the last vestiges of a time thought long-past when such
stereotypes were commonplace. Just as "Sambo" served to perpetuate racism and bigotry
toward the African-American community, these mascots and team names serve to keep
Native Americans in a similar position. The National Congress of American Indians
strongly condemns the use of sports team mascots that claim to portray Native
Americans and Native cultures in a positive light...it is only with Native Americans that
this practice continues. It is a national insult and does nothing to honor the Native
peoples of this country."
http://www.ncai.org/ncai/resource/documents/governance/NCAIposis.htm
National Indian Education Association (NIEA), Position Statement on Indian Mascot. Page 23
of the NIEA News 34(6) 2004.
http://www.niea.org/media/Fall%20Winter%202004.pdf
Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs
NORTH CAROLINA COMMISSION OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
RESOLUTION
http://web.archive.org/web/20041021103254/home.att.net/~nceerm/nccia.html
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi (Michigan)
Ohio Center for Native American Affairs
Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin
PEORIA TRIBE OF INDIANS OF OKLAHOMA
RESOLUTION R -04-04-00-C Request
to University of Illinois to Cease Use of
Chief llliniwek as Mascot
http://www.aistm.org/2000peoria.htm
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (Michigan)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council Resolution opposing UND use of the use of the mascot and
logos “Fighting Souix”
http://aistm.org/20071109.standing.rock.UND.resolution.htm
Wisconsin Indian Education Association "Indian" Mascot and Logo Taskforce Position
Statement
http://www.indianmascots.com/position/index.htm
Churches and Religious Organizations
American Jewish Committee. STATEMENT ON TEAM NAMES
http://www.aistm.org/american_jewish_committee.htm
National Conference of Christians and Jews
Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church. In "The United Methodist Church and America's Native People"
(The Book of Resolutions, 1992; page 178),
The United Methodist Church has issued a call for repentance for the Church's role in
the dehumanization and colonization of our Native American sisters and brothers. In
light of this stand and the fact that we strongly believe the continued use of Native
American names as nicknames is demeaning and racist, we urge all United Methodist-
related universities, colleges, and schools to set an example by replacing any nicknames
that demean and offend our Native American sisters and brothers; and we support
efforts throughout our society to replace such nicknames, mascots, and symbols.
See
also: United Methodist Church Confession to Native Americans
http://www.iwchildren.org/methodistresolution.htm
Muslim Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) calls on state legislators to end the
use of Indian or offensive names for schools, teams or mascots by supporting the Oklahoma
Anti-Discriminatory Mascot Bill. Feb 2009. CAIR-OK is based in Oklahoma.
http://www.tulsabeacon.com/?p=1453
Appendix E: Additional resources
Elizabeth Delacruz 2003 article for the NAEA journal, Art Education: “Racism American Style:
Art Education’s Role in the Indian Masco Issue”: http://ow.ly/116vq (retrieved from JSTOR)
Sudi Hofmann (2005). Helping Students Understand The American Indian Mascot Issue.
http://www.aimovement.org/ncrsm/pushingsomebuttons.html
Jonathan B. Hook, President, American Indian Resource Center. THE PROBLEM WITH
INDIAN MASCOTS IN SCHOOLS
http://www.allarm.org/articles/hook.html
George Littlechild website (artist, children’s book author, art educator).
http://www.georgelittlechild.com/
Barbara E. Munson, a woman of the Oneida Nation, COMMON THEMES AND
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE USE OF "INDIAN" LOGOS
http://www.indianmascots.com/commonthemes/Common%20Themes.pdf
Cornel D. Pewewardy. The Deculturalization of Indigenous Mascots in U.S. Sports Culture
The Educational Forum, 63 (1999) http://www.hanksville.org/sand/stereotypes/pewe.html
Gayle Olson-Raymer. Brief History of the Controversy. Educational materials.
http://www.humboldt.edu/~go1/kellogg/mascots.html
http://www.humboldt.edu/~go1/
kellogg/intro.html
Debbie Reese (blogsite). American Indians in Children’s Literature: Critical Perspectives of
Indigenous Peoples in Children’s Books, the School Curriculum, Popular Culture, and the
Society at Large. http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/
Debbie Reese. (1998). Field Notes for “Mom, Look! It’s George, and He’s a TV Indian!”
http://www.hbook.com/magazine/articles/1998/sep98_reese.asp
Matthew Richter,
Editor, American Comments Magazine.
History of Indian Mascots and Indian
Boarding Schools
http://www.iwchildren.org/reference/boardingbirth.htm
Jay Rosentein’s national award willing PBS documentary “In Whose Honor?”
http://jayrosenstein.com/pages/honor.html
Charlene Teters, AMERICAN INDIANS ARE PEOPLE, NOT MASCOTS
http://www.aimovement.org/ncrsm/index.html
Charlene Teters website: (Follow relevant links there.)
http://www.charleneteters.com/Welcome.html
