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
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.
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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The Notah Begay III Foundation (NB3F) has announced it will launch a new
national initiative to expand its fight against childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes for Native American children.
NB3F_Health_Care
NCEPS letters and BIG resolution regarding derogatory Mascots in the Federal Workplace:
(Please click on links for full PDF documents):
Press Release on Mascot Name from NCEPS
NCEPS Press Release Regarding Mascot Issue
NCEPS letter to President Obama concerning mascot name
Mascot Ltr to Obama
NCEPS Letter to OPM concerning Mascot name
Mascot ltr to OPM
Mascot BIG resolution
Blacks in Govt. Resolution on Mascot Name
FS2013_Symposium_Flyer_V1
The First Stewards – “Coastal Peoples Address Climate Change” is having their 2nd Annual Symposium at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., October 29-31, 2013. Please see the flyer for further information
