A young woman with signs protesting and a baseball player with "Indians" on his jersey

Cleveland’s pro baseball team will retire its Native-themed name after this season.

Left to right: Stacy Revere/Getty Images (protester); Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports (baseball player)

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Common Core: RH.6-8.1, RH.6-8.2, RH.6-8.4, RH.6-8.7, WHST.6-8.2, WHST.6-8.5, WHST.6-8.9, RI.6-8.1, RI.6-8.2, RI.6-8.4, RH.6-8.7, W.6-8.2, W.6-8.5, W.6-8.9, SL.6-8.1

NCSS: Culture • Time, Continuity, and Change • Individual Development and Identity • Individuals, Groups, and Institutions

U.S. SPOTLIGHT

Paired Text

A Sign of Respect

Two pro sports teams are adopting new names and logos—a change many people say is long overdue

As You Read, Think About: Why do team names and symbols matter?

For more than a century, the professional baseball team in Cleveland, Ohio, has been called the Indians. But that won’t be the case for much longer. The Major League Baseball (MLB) team is officially changing its name to the Cleveland Guardians before the 2022 season.

The Washington Football Team, based in the nation’s capital, is also set to announce a new name and logo early next year. That National Football League (NFL) team dropped the name Redskins in 2020.

The teams’ decisions to replace their Native-themed names is part of a trend. At least 43 U.S. schools have also removed such names or symbols this year, the National Congress of American Indians says.

“Folks believe that [team] mascots are who Native people are,” says Leah Salgado, a citizen of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. She runs IllumiNative, a group that works to make sure all Indigenous people are accurately represented. “We would rather that folks see us as who we are as individuals,” she says.

Harmful Stereotypes

Today, more than 1,800 teams across the U.S.—from elementary school to the pros—have Native-themed names. The most common ones are Indians, Braves, and Chiefs. 

Critics argue that such names reduce Native people to stereotypes. There are 574 federally recognized Native nations in the U.S., and they are diverse in ethnicity, culture, and language.

Some names, experts say, are especially offensive. For example, “redskins” is considered a racist insult against Native people. 

“Sports teams are supposed to inspire,” says Vincent Schilling, who is Akwesasne (ah-kwuh-SAHS-nee) Mohawk. “But these teams ignore the suffering of Native people even though they have been told over and over the pain the names cause.” 

Symbols of Strength

Many teams with Native-themed names, however, say their monikers reflect positive characteristics such as power and strength.

Supporters say such names also offer an opportunity to educate people. For example, Florida State University (FSU) uses the nickname “Seminoles,” with the support of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The tribe participates in school events to share its traditions with students. 

Sacred Symbols 

These objects are sometimes used out of context by teams and fans. Here is why they are significant to Native people. 

A Native American head dress

The Clay Machine Gun/Shutterstock.com

HEADDRESS
In many nations, each feather is earned through an act of honor. Typically, only the most respected citizens can wear the headpieces.

A Native American young man lines painted on his face and a feathered head dress

Kevin Fleming/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

FACE PAINT
The paint often represents family groups or honors leaders. Different colors and designs are thought to offer benefits such as protection. 

An axe with different colorful carvings on it and fur attached to it

The Clay Machine Gun/Shutterstock.com

TOMAHAWK
Many Native nations believe the ax-like tool has spiritual significance. They use ornate versions of it in Native ceremonies. 

Stop the Chop?

Still, critics say even accepted Native-themed names can be harmful. For example, some teams have imagery showing weapons. Native people say these symbols spread the inaccurate idea that all Indigenous people are violent.

Native-themed names can also encourage disrespectful behavior. Fans of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, MLB’s Atlanta Braves, and FSU do the “tomahawk chop”—waving their arms in a chopping motion while chanting a fake “Native” song.

“This action has never been done by a Native American nation,” Schilling says. “My ancestors were forced to not speak their own language. A crowd of thousands singing a fake song is more painful than you can imagine.”

Researchers have also found that exposure to Native American mascots lowers the self-esteem of young Native people.

Enlargeable photo of a helmet with an Native American man on it and a new version without the image

Patrick Green/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images (Old Helmet); Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images (New Helmet)

The Washington Football Team dropped its Native-themed logo.

Next Steps

Salgado has vowed to push for more progress. She hopes other teams will follow the lead of Cleveland and Washington and replace their Native-themed names and mascots.

“It’s good that some names are changing, but all should be gone,” Salgado says. “We all want to be treated with respect.”

Write About It! Why have some teams changed their names and symbols? What are some reasons why people oppose or support Native-themed names?

A young woman with a beautiful blue necklace and earrings

U.S. News

Standing Up for Her Culture

A Utah high school student fought to change her school’s Native-themed mascot.

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