Screen capture shows outgoing Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly with Dan Snyder, the owner of the Washington NFL team. Image from Deadspin
The Navajo Nation entered into an agreement with the NFL to sell arts and crafts at the Washington team's stadium. President Ben Shelly said the Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise reached the agreement earlier this year. Jewelry, rugs, sand paintings and other arts and crafts will be sold at the FedEx Field in Maryland. “We have an enormous opportunity to bring more business to Navajo craftsmen and artisans,” Shelly said in a press release. “This licensing agreement with the NFL has opened the door for new jobs and economic development for the nation.” According to Shelly, the Washington team waived the licensing fee for the tribe. He said the team is helping the tribe to sell Navajo arts and crafts at other stadiums. Shelly announced the agreement after attending the team's game with Arizona on Sunday. He sat with owner Dan Snyder in the team's suite. The team paid for for members of the Navajo Nation and Zuni Pueblo to attend the game, The Arizona Republic reported. The team has purchased items from Zuni artisans. Outside the game, however, tribal activists protested the team's racist mascot. Amanda Blackhorse, a Navajo woman who is the lead plaintiff in a challenge to the team's trademarks, spoke at the protest. Get the Story:
Shelly says he talked business with Snyder (AP 10/13)
Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly sits in box with Dan Snyder (The Arizona Republic 10/13)
Protesters March Against Redskins; Snyder Still Wooing Natives (Indian Country Today 10/13)
Native Americans demonstrate, urging Redskins name change (The Glendale Daily News-Sun 10/13)
Washington Redskins racist? What do the Navajo really think? (The Christian Science Monitor 10/13)
Disgraced, Soon-To-Be-Former Navajo Nation President Attends 'Skins Game (Deadspin 10/12)
Native Americans cheer on the Washington Redskins, others protest (KOB 10/12)
Protesters gather in Scottsdale over Redskins team name (The Arizona Republic 10/12)
Washington Redskins pay for Natives to attend Cardinals game (The Arizona Republic 10/10) An Opinion:
Editorial: A note for the Washington Unmentionables (The Arizona Republic 10/11)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories:Opinion: Washington team's logo dehumanizes Indian people (10/13)
Deadspin: Questionable heritage of Washington NFL team's fan (10/07)
Minneapolis examines whether it can outlaw R-word at stadium (10/07)
DaShanne Stokes: Anti-Indian racism is everywhere in America (10/6)
Peter d'Errico: Washington NFL team name rooted in colonialism (10/6)
Opinion: FCC can't block broadcast of R-word on public airwaves (10/3)
Gyasi Ross: Why African Americans should care about mascots (10/2)
FCC will consider petition to outlaw R-word on public airwaves (10/1)
Migizi Pensoneau: Behind the scenes at a Washington NFL game (9/29)
Column: Washington team should be worried about FCC petition (9/29)
Chelsey Luger: Washington NFL team doesn't own our identity (9/25)
Osage Nation to avoid FedEx due to association with NFL team (9/24)
DC Council considers bill to ban race-based mascots at schools (9/24)
Opinion: Town sends wrong message with street after R-word (9/24)
Activists ask judge to dismiss Washington NFL team's lawsuit (9/23)
Peter d'Errico: Video uses humor to battle racist NFL mascot (9/22)
Opinion: Racist sports mascots preserve 'imaginary' Indians (9/22)
Norbert Hill: It's past time to drop the Washington NFL mascot (9/18)
Peter d'Errico: Connecting mascots to racism and termination (9/18)
Opinion: Eliminating NFL team's racist mascot is just the start (9/18)
Student newspaper punished over refusal to print the R-word (9/18)
Sen. Cantwell to introduce bill to end NFL's tax-exempt status (9/16)
Bruce Anderson: Washington team name preserves stereotypes (9/15)
Column: DC-area Native people oppose NFL team's racist mascot (9/15)
Coalition asks broadcasters to avoid Washington NFL team's name (09/04)
Editorial: It's time to sack Washington NFL team's offensive name (09/04)