Tag Archives: National Museum of the American Indian

August 5, 2025 · 10:06 pm

There’s a lot in a name

Isn’t it odd that the same person who removed the Indigenous name Denali from the mountain in Alaska now wants to return the name of the Washington football team to a racist slur because “Our great Indian people … their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them.”???

Spoiler:
This is a rhetorical question.
There is nothing odd about it.
It is the same old white supremacist bs that undergirds the dominant society and is being expressed in so many ways by the current administration.

Here endeth the lesson.

Here begineth and continueth the advocacy.

Advocacy opportunities related to the use of Indigenous names and imagery include
National Congress of American Indians
Committee of 500 Years of Dignity and Resistance
Not Your Mascot
National Museum of the American Indian Webinar: Changing the Narrative About Native Americans
Twin Cities PBS: Not Your Mascot: Native Americans and Team Mascots
The Lakota Law Project provides many opportunities for advocacy around issues facing Indigenous peoples
In Whose Honor? – video from more than 20 years ago that, sadly, remains relevant in the current atmosphere

For information about the naming of Denali and the suggestion to change back the names of the Washington football team and the Cleveland base ball see:
Denali name change
Proposed sports name changes

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October 22, 2012 · 7:52 pm

Walking with Russell

We met once.

We did not speak.

But for a few moments, we walked together.

On April 4, 1994, the Cleveland baseball team opened a new stadium.

My friends and colleagues among the indigenous peoples and the antiracism activists of Cleveland have a simple message. People are people. Not mascots. The name and logo of the Cleveland baseball team need to go.

The Committee of 500 Years of Dignity and Resistance organized an educational event for the stadium opening. The event included a public witness/demonstration at the new stadium. I attended.

As the stadium opened, we gathered in its shadow. Words were said. Prayers prayed. And then we walked in silence around the stadium.

Russell Means attended the event as one of the speakers. He walked with us. And for a few moments, we walked side-by-side. We made eye contact. We smiled. But no words passed our lips.

Russell, who journeyed to the spirit world early this morning, was a big man. And I walk slowly. I did not keep up for long. But those few moments, I remember, for they were a gift, an honor.

Russell lived a life of courage – working tirelessly and faithfully for the well-being of his people – of all indigenous peoples – of all oppressed peoples – of us all.

I give thanks for his life, his work, and his witness. I give thanks that, for a few moments on one April day in Cleveland, we walked together. I give thanks for all who in any way carry on the struggle for human dignity.

The National Museum of the American Indian will present a symposium: Racist Stereotypes and Cultural Appropriation in American Sports on Thursday, November 1, 2012, 10 AM – 5:45 PM in Washington, D.C. I will not be there, but the event will be Webcast. As my friend Molly suggests, watching – and then taking action – would be an appropriate way to honor Russell Means.

People are people. Not mascots.

See you along the Trail.

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