Oneida Nation thanks ex-players for comments on 'Redskins'

Thursday, July 25, 2013  

The Oneida Nation of New York welcomed statements by two former Washington Redskins players who said the team should consider whether its continued use of the name is appropriate.

Hall of famers Art Monk and Darrell Green discussed the issue on WTOP radio. "[If] Native Americans feel like Redskins or the Chiefs or [another] name is offensive to them, then who are we to say to them 'No, it's not'?" Monk said.

"It deserves and warrants conversation because somebody is saying, 'Hey, this offends me,'" Green said.

"As two of the greatest athletes ever to play for Washington's football franchise, Mr. Monk and Mr. Green have added their truly powerful voices to a grassroots campaign against the mean-spirited mascot-ization of our indigenous culture," Oneida Nation Representative Ray Halbritter said in response.

The Oneida Nation donated $10,000 to buy new uniforms for a public school district in New York that got rid of its "Redskins" mascot.

Get the Story:
Monk, Green weigh in on team-name controversy (WTOP 7/25)
Local Native Americans sound off on Redskins' name (WTOP 7/25)
Dan Steinberg: Oneida Nation thanks Art Monk and Darrell Green (The Washington Post 7/24)

Letter: No justification for endured use of ugly 'Redskins' name (07/11)
Opinion: It's hard to defend a name like Washington 'Redskins' (07/04)
Matt Remle: Eliminating a 'Redskins' mascot in Washington (6/28)
Blog: 'Redskins' defender probably isn't a full blooded chief (6/28)