NCAI Congressional Briefing: Derogatory Sports Mascots & SAIGE Position
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT- Melinda Warner
mwarner@ncai.org
PRESS ADVISORY: Ending a Legacy of Derogatory Sports Mascots, Logos, and Symbols – December 5th Briefing
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is hosting a briefing featuring advocates from the Civil Rights community and representatives from tribal nations and organizations to discuss the devastating effects “Indian” sports mascots, logos, and symbols have on Native American youth and communities. Coordinated through the offices of Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), Congressional Native American Caucus Co-Chairs, and the office of Congressional Delegate Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS), this briefing will give members of Congress, their staff, and the media access to those who have been leading the effort to end this shameful legacy.
The use of racist and derogatory “Indian” sports mascots, logos, and symbols has perpetuated negative stereotypes of America’s first peoples. Rather than honoring Native peoples, these caricatures and stereotypes contribute to a disregard for the diverse cultural heritages of Native people. Usage of this term carries negative historic connotations reminiscent of the eras of termination of Indian tribes and the assimilation of Native people.
The Non-Disparagement of Native American Persons or Peoples in Trademark Registration Act of 2013 (H.R. 1278), was introduced by Congressional Delegate Eni Faleomavaega on March 20, 2013, and has received widespread support and praise from tribal governments, organizations, and individuals. This legislation would amend the Trademark Act of 1946, banning the use of the term ‘Redsk*n’ and canceling the federal registrations of trademarks using that term.
Featured Panelists
- Richard Guest, Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund
- Ahniwake Rose, Executive Director, National Indian Education Association
- Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians
- Suzan Shown Harjo, President, Morning Star Institute
- David Grosso, Washington, DC City Councilmember (Invited)
- Rushern Baker, County Executive, Prince George’s County (Invited)
- Congressional Co-Sponsors, H.R. 1278
When- Thursday, December 5th
Briefing: 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Reception: 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Where – Rayburn House Office Building
B-338 & B-339
For more information, read NCAI’s report: Ending the Legacy of Racism in Sports & The Era of Harmful “Indian” Sports Mascots
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About The National Congress of American Indians:
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 www.ncai.org
SAIGE POSITION ON DEROGATORY SPORTS MASCOTS AND TEAM NAMES
click link above to open document
2013 Native American Heritage Month Proclamation & Poster
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release October 31, 2013
NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2013
2013 Native American Heritage Month Poster
– – – – – – –
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
From Alaskan mountain peaks to the Argentinian pampas to the rocky shores of Newfoundland, Native Americans were the first to carve out cities, domesticate crops, and establish great civilizations. When the Framers gathered to write the United States Constitution, they drew inspiration from the Iroquois Confederacy, and in the centuries since, American Indians and Alaska Natives from hundreds of tribes have shaped our national life. During Native American Heritage Month, we honor their vibrant cultures and strengthen the government-to-government relationship between the United States and each tribal nation.
(click to Download Poster)
As we observe this month, we must not ignore the painful history Native Americans have endured — a history of violence, marginalization, broken promises, and upended justice. There was a time when native languages and religions were banned as part of a forced assimilation policy that attacked the political, social, and cultural identities of Native Americans in the United States. Through generations of struggle, American Indians and Alaska Natives held fast to their traditions, and eventually the United States Government repudiated its destructive policies and began to turn the page on a troubled past.
My Administration remains committed to self-determination, the right of tribal governments to build and strengthen their own communities. Each year I host the White House Tribal Nations Conference, and our work together has translated into action. We have resolved longstanding legal disputes, prioritized placing land into trust on behalf of tribes, stepped up support for Tribal Colleges and Universities, made tribal health care more accessible, and streamlined leasing regulations to put more power in tribal hands. Earlier this year, an amendment to the Stafford Act gave tribes the option to directly request Federal emergency assistance when natural disasters strike their homelands. In March, I signed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which recognizes tribal courts’ power to convict and sentence certain perpetrators of domestic violence, regardless of whether they are Indian or non-Indian. And this June, I moved to strengthen our nation-to-nation relationships by establishing the White House Tribal Council on Native American Affairs. The Council is responsible for promoting and sustaining prosperous and resilient Native American communities.
As we observe Native American Heritage Month, we must build on this work. Let us shape a future worthy of a bright new generation, and together, let us ensure this country’s promise is fully realized for every Native American.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2013 as National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate November 29, 2013, as Native American Heritage Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.
BARACK OBAMA
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“Talking Leaf” Newsletter July 2013
Many Thanks to Georgia Madrid of NOAA for producing our Newsletter-
- Talking Leaf July 2013
Click this link to open full newsletter: SAIGE Newsletter July 2013
BIG Resolution supports an end to racially charged sports name
Thank you to Blacks in Government – our NCEPS partner- for submitting this resolution for ratification at their August National Training in Dallas.
From Matthew Fogg, BIG First Vice-President: Please visit BIG’s web-page or just click on this link:
Resolution (5) “BIG Stands In Solidarity With Native Americans”.
Job Accommodations Network Resources
Information from the Job Accommodations Network workshop presented at SAIGE 2013 at the Northern Quest –
As requested, please find a copy of my presentation slides for download at http://askjan.org/landingpage/SAIGE2013/ I have also provided answers to other attendees questions along with resources.
In regard to the question about medical inquiries and documentation of these inquiries, please see our Accommodation and Compliance Series: Medical Inquiry in Response to an Accommodation publication found at: http://askjan.org/media/medical.htm
The medical inquiry form embedded in this publication can also be found at http://askjan.org/landingpage/SAIGE2013/ for your convenience.
In addition, please find the Kaiser Permanente Form I mentioned during the session at the following webpage http://askjan.org/topics/forms.htm. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the hyperlink. This form was designed for return to work but can be modified for documenting need for accommodations.
An article from PEW Research about “How many baby boomers are reaching 65 years of age” can be found at http://www.pewresearch.org/daily-number/baby-boomers-retire/.
JAN: Practical Solutions Workplace Success JAN Web site: http://www.AskJAN.org
Louis Orslene, MPIA, MSW, CPDM
JAN Program Co-Director
PO Box 6080,
Morgantown, WV 26506-6080
Telephone: 304.293.7186 x135 (Voice)
Telephone: 800.526.7234 (Voice)
Telephone: 877-781-9403 (TTY)
FAX: 304.293.5407
Email: orslene@jan.wvu.edu
