update 7/29/20 PM: format changes for improved readability
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Background: I’ve been on a fascinating journey to learn about Native American mascots in local Sports. Mariemont City Schools’ ‘Warriors’ is of course a fine (& honorable) term. In question is our mascot/imagery: an abstract profile of a Native American man in a head dress. Also in question are traditions like a ‘warpath’ website, a ‘pow-wow’ bonfire each Fall, and group dances/chants in the stands at football games. I’ve learned a lot, and this analysis/information is only the start of an important conversation. This information has been shared with Mariemont City Schools’ School Board.
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Background: I’ve been on a fascinating journey to learn about Native American mascots in local Sports. Mariemont City Schools’ ‘Warriors’ is of course a fine (& honorable) term. In question is our mascot/imagery: an abstract profile of a Native American man in a head dress. Also in question are traditions like a ‘warpath’ website, a ‘pow-wow’ bonfire each Fall, and group dances/chants in the stands at football games. I’ve learned a lot, and this analysis/information is only the start of an important conversation. This information has been shared with Mariemont City Schools’ School Board.
Disclaimers: I’m a white guy of European descent who
looks out for the ‘little guy.’ As a Christian, I have a responsibility for the
‘least of these.’ I am a fan of Mariemont Schools and Mariemont Sports. My kids
attend Mariemont Schools.
Conclusion & Recommendation: While not the
ultimate decision makers, the Native Americans we try to represent with our
imagery ought to be heard. And if, through that listening, we learn they’re
overwhelmingly supportive of our choices and traditions, then we have no issue.
However, if many have concerns, then we ought to honor their opinions and give
great weight to their recommendations…even if others/other groups are
supportive. While at least one organization that represents Native Americans is
supportive of imagery like ours, multiple accredited organizations representing
Native Americans have real, databased, decades-long objections to our imagery.
We should hear them. Because
many Native American organizations are opposed to our imagery, let’s keep
the ‘Warriors’ and change the logo. Further, let’s commit to more real and
rich education in all the schools to truly honor Native Americans.
Details
There are a few organizations representing Native Americans
who strongly support Mariemont’s and others’ Sports imagery and language. One
example: Native American Guardians (founded 2014) naga.org Their detailed rationale
is below, but generally they appreciate Native American history being relevant
today through Sports names and imagery. They disagree strongly with ‘anti-mascot’
representative groups on this topic like Congress of American Indians (1944). Thank you to NAGA for such helpful information and education.
There are many organizations that are strongly opposed to
even well-intentioned ‘thoughtful’ imagery. One example: Greater Cincinnati
Native American Coalition (founded 1970s) gcnativeamericancoalition.com Their detailed
rationale is below, but they generally believe imagery and names are homogenous
stereotypes that hurt Native Americans, particularly kids (research based).
They agree with ‘anti-mascot’ representative groups like Congress of American
Indians and the Miami Tribe of OK, formerly of OH (pre 1800s). They disagree
strongly with ‘pro’ representative groups on this topic like Native American
Guardians.
On either side of this argument then, there is data and
endorsement(s) to justify the desired position. But if a significant number of Native
American organizations oppose our imagery, then shouldn’t we listen? And
shouldn’t we value the afflicted more than the un-afflicted? And, aren’t there countless
other ways to celebrate history that both the afflicted and unafflicted can agree
on?
Two interesting side notes: First, the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma (our local organization), reaffirmed just this week their consistent opposition (see Resolution below):"...absolute opposition...to the use of derogatory and stereotypical names and images of American Indians as sports mascots or icons for any purpose by any public school or institution...." Second, ironically, research (link below) shows a negative impact to kids, the very demographic our schools are charged with nurturing.
Conversation Transcripts & Research (in chronological
order). Please excuse typos as conversations occurred via Text/DM. I have redacted full names and contact information
but am happy to provide on request.
Native American Guardians http://naguardians.org/
Pro Mascot
Hi cortney, kathy j, native american guardians association
[naga] rep for ohio. I grew up in cincinnati and went to anderson/turpin. I
currently live in cleveland. We can help you with your logo debate. Do you have
a keeper fb page yet? Call me to fill me in. I love mariemont and often hung
out there.
Call me and privide your email here. we have a lot of info.
go to nagaeducation.edu and click on links. we are writting blogs. naga
believes in education not erradication.
ncai has been discreaded. they say redskins is the scalps of dead
indians which is a lie proven in two court cases but the ncai still pushes the
lie to insite people. ncai wants to get rid of all na names as per the oneida
indians that believe in the decolonization movement and started the not your
mascot organization. we are all on stolon land and must go. it's unbelivable
what they are pushing. poll after poll show that 80-90% of na support na names
in schools and sports. the 10% of radical na are attacking schools with
propaganda and brainwashing pc people from the suburbs. naga networks with
schools and will speak at your committee meetings and help with your support
page with facts. naga is about education not eradication.
Naga is doing a media bitz this month. #savethename has the
ads.
Naga is working on changing the dictionaries back to north
american indian for the redskin definition that was falsely changed in the '70
due to radical activist spouting off lies in the media. now those same activist
point to the dictionary definition they had rewritten. same people still at it.
warrior is not isolated to na indian. social justice warrior for example. it's
just a generic name not offencive at all. i like your logo!
Naga has a facebook support page, naga supporters group, is
the name of it. we invite you to join.
Yes and that's how naga feels. There is nothing wrong with
your logo. 90% of natives would feel proud. Unfortunatly, the radical activist
are very loud and pushy.i am a white girl from the forest hills school system.
I have been following this debate for 50 years. Naga asked me to help in this
fight. We are networking all across the country.
(is your organization political?) no, because while we do
have the support of many republicans, there are dems that support it also.
make sure you go to #savethename on fb search to see native
americans are speaking up. We are working like crazy to address this assult on
culture.
Greater Cincinnati Native American Coalition https://gcnativeamericancoalition.com/
Anti Mascot
Hello- this is Dawn K. Please do not listen to NAGA. They
are a group that has been disassociated from their Nations and are not an
authority on mascot issues in any way. While there are situations where
Indigenous/Native American images have been used in association with schools,
there have been agreements with local tribal leaders. Here in Ohio, there are
ZERO tribal councils- sovereign tribal nations. Out of over 572 Nations, there
aren't any here and NAGA has no authority to give a school in Ohio permission
to use the imagery of an Indian for their mascot. However, NCAI- the National
Congress of the American Indian is the oldest, largest and most representative
American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the broad interests of
tribal governments and communities with all 572 federally recognized tribes
signing the anti-mascot campaign. That should tell you something right there.
Furthermore, students have civil rights including Native
American students. They should be free from discrimination, which these mascots
are proven to be harmful, degrading, inaccurate, and just plain wrong.
Yes, even a "sensitive" image is inappropriate
because there is no such thing as a general "Indian." There are many,
many people and Nations each with our own languages, images, cultures, foods,
and so on. How can one Indian image represent us? That is stereotyping.
Yes, NCAI agrees with this- http://www.ncai.org/proudtobe
I'm glad you are reaching out and asking these questions,
Cortney. Here is the harmful research: As documented in a comprehensive review
of decades of social science research, derogatory "Indian" sports mascots
have serious psychological, social and cultural consequences for Native
Americans, especially Native youth. Of today’s American Indian and Alaska
Native population, those under the age of 18 make up 32 percent, and Native
youth under the age of 24 represent nearly half, or 42 percent, of the entire
Native population.
https://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/indian-mascots
Here is the most recent study: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1948550619898556?journalCode=sppa
We humbly ask the American public to stand with us, the
GCNAC, in advocating for the change of the school and sports team names to help
make it clear to all people, everywhere, that the use of racist Native
"Indian" mascot names must end. As Native Americans, we did not
create these images and stereotypes that resulted in racism- but we are calling
for its end. It is the responsibility of all Americans who hold privilege to do
the work to end this legacy of discrimination.
We are members of NCAI.
NAGA doesn't have members- they are just a group of people
who have opinions.
Our organization- the GCNAC has been around as a part of
other organizations since the 1970s. Our history goes back to Jeanne Marie
Brightfire Stophlet, Director of the Indian Center in Cincinnati and
Inter-Ethnic Council of Greater Cincinnati during the 1970s. We formally
incorporated as a nonprofit 4th of March, 2019. None of our directors receive
any money for the work we do- we are a 100% volunteer, 100% Native run
organization.
National Congress of American Indians http://www.ncai.org/
Anti Mascot
(no reply yet from this group. Info based on my research and
endorsement by GCNAC)
NCAI's Long Standing Opposition to Harmful
"Indian" Sports Mascots: As the nation’s oldest, largest, and most
representative American Indian and Alaska Native advocacy organization, NCAI
has long held a clear position against derogatory and harmful stereotypes of
Native people—including sports mascots—in media and popular culture. In 1968
NCAI launched a campaign to address stereotypes of Native people in popular
culture and media, as well as in sports. Since this effort began, there has
been a great deal of progress made and support to end the era of harmful
"Indian" mascots in sports.
Miami Tribe of Oklahoma (previously Ohio) https://www.miamination.com/ Anti
Mascot
(no direct communication with this group, instead sharing
recent Resolution 20-31 July 27 2020)
Resolution 20-31 Miami Tribe of Oklahoma
Position on Ethnic or Race-based
Derogatory Mascot Names or Derogatory Mascot Caricatures
Whereas, the Myaamia, recognized today by the United States as the Miami tribe of
Oklahoma, are a distinct people originating from the Great Lakes lands of
Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, and
Whereas, after being forcefully removed
from our homelands in 1846 we lived or a time on reserve in
eastern Kansas and were again removed to the Indian territory where our seat of
government still resides in the city of Miami, Oklahoma, and
Whereas, our history and that of all federally
recognized tribes/First nations of this land has been recorded by many
observers through time and that written history has grouped all as one people
under collective terms such as the “Indians”, the “Natives”, or the “redskinned”,
and
Whereas, as a sovereign and culturally
distinct people we believe these terms have too often created a “one Nation”, “one
Tribe”, “one People” perception and that this lack of understanding and respect
for the unique cultural identities of each sovereign Tribal Nation has fostered
the perception of “Indians” as an all-encompassing description for the citizens
of the First Nations, and
Whereas, we believe this melded perception has
negatively impacted the individual and distinct identities of our First Nations
and encouraged the development of race-based icons and mascots in this country,
and
Whereas, the Miamia Tribe of Oklahoma stands firmly
against misrepresentation through stereotypical images and names which only
serve to demean and misrepresent First Nations peoples, and
Whereas it is our belief that the presentation
of accurate information regarding Myaamia culture, history, traditions and
language are vital in our efforts to stand against misrepresentation and
misunderstanding, and
Whereas, we take full responsibility for how our
culture and heritage are taught within our community and how we are identified
culturally and historically by the world, and
Whereas the Myaamia Tribe of Oklahoma has a
deep abiding commitment to Myaamia community education through our Myaamia Education
Services & Programs Department and our unique Cultural Education Programs,
and
Whereas, our Cultural Resources Office in our Myaamia
Center at Miami University work together to support, create and deliver true
knowledge of Myaamia culture, language, and history within our community and to
external public education programs in order to aid in the accurate telling and
understanding of our history and heritage, and
Whereas, the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma in care
and respect full support of our Myaamia citizens today and those generations to
come, and also out of concern for greater public understanding, has
demonstrated absolute opposition - founded in cultural knowledge - to the use
of derogatory and stereotypical names and images of American Indians as sports
mascots or icons for any purpose by any public school or institution, and
Whereas, this opposition is rooted in our
strong belief that such words and images impart a negative or misleading
perception which impacts the self-esteem of our Myaamia children, adults, and
elders, and
Whereas the Myaamia tribe of Oklahoma
demonstrated this observation in a 1996 Resolution delivered to Myaamia
University in Oxford, OH calling for the removal of the Redskins mascot; and through
respectful consideration and mutual agreement that esteemed institution took
the necessary action to correct the negative image and by doing so demonstrated
respect to not only the Myaamia but all First Nations of this land, and
Whereas, the Myaamia tribe of Oklahoma
recognizes and respects longstanding relationships existing between certain Tribal
Nations and Institutions and does not stand in opposition to their agreements
or understandings related to any individual Tribally approved names, icons or mascots,
and
Now Therefore Be It Resolved, the Miami Tribe
of Oklahoma adoptions this Resolution as our stated opposition to the
derogatory and stereotypical names, icons and mascots’ and to reaffirm our
commitment to providing meaningful and informed education about the culturally
distinct indigenous peoples of this land
Certification
The undersigned, as Chief of the Miami Tribe
of Oklahoma, does hereby certify that Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Business Committee
is composed of five elected members. The foregoing Resolution 20-31 was duly
adopted this 27th day of July 2020 by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Business Committee,
through Special Meeting, with an
approving vote of 5 for, 0 against, 0 abstaining.
Douglas G Lankford, Chief
Attest:
Donya Williams, Secretary-Treasurer
(pdf images can be found at https://www.mymiamicounty.com/miami)
