Indianz.Com > News > Fawn Sharp: Racist ‘Native’ mascots have no place in our society
National Congress of American Indians: National School Mascot Tracking Database: An Overview
NCAI President Sharp on One Year Anniversary of the Retirement of the Washington Football Team Name and Imagery
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Source: National Congress of American Indians
ncai.org   NCAI1944   ncai1944

The following is a statement from Fawn Sharp, president of the National Congress of American Indians.

On the one year anniversary of the Washington Football Team’s retirement of their racist mascot, we take a moment to recognize the grit and dedication of Tribal Nations, tribal leaders, citizens, advocates and allies who tirelessly helped in the mission to educate Americans on the immense harms Native-themed mascots and team names cause Native people.

Last year sparked a wave of momentum and in 2020 alone, a total of 70 schools voted to retire or alter their Native-themed mascots, with more than 30 schools following suit in 2021 thus far. On the state level, several states have fully or partially banned Native-themed or race-based mascots – including in my home state of Washington. This growing movement shows no signs of slowing down.

True respect for Native people and other people of color requires our country to rid itself of the symbols of racism and intolerance that have far too long been embedded in popular culture and which have marginalized and dehumanized us. These symbols and names have no place in American society, and our work is not yet done.

NCAI will not rest until all offensive Native-themed mascots and associated imagery are removed from popular culture and we call upon our partners and allies across the nation to join us in our resolve to push this positive momentum forward.

Note: In May 2020, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) launched a comprehensive national tracking database that tracks the more than two dozen different Native “themed” school mascots in use by K-12 public schools across the country and continues to actively engage and educate those schools deliberating the retirement of their mascots.

Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information, visit ncai.org.
Search
Filed Under
Tags
More Headlines
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation takes the lead for our environment
Native America Calling: Earth Day assessment for Native peoples
Cronkite News: Gathering addresses ‘epidemic’ among Native people
VIDEO: Cody Desautel on tribes and federal forest management
AUDIO: Legislative Hearing on Discussion Draft of Forest Management Bill
Native America Calling: Remembering the 1974 Navajo border town murders
Native America Calling: Can the right approach close the Native immunization gap?
Cronkite News: Long COVID cases remain high in Arizona
Native America Calling: Eyes in the sky for development, public safety, and recreation
Native America Calling: Three new films offer diverse views of Native life
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation works toward cure for arthritis
Native America Calling: Protecting young people from the down sides of social media
Cronkite News: Fake ‘shaman’ among candidates failing to make Congressional ballot
More Headlines