Native American Mascots and the White Perspective

In 2005, the National Collegiate Athletic Association banned the use of American Indian mascots by sports teams in the postseason games.  Team names deemed racist or abusive were not allowed on teams’ jerseys.  The ruling, however, was confusing and somewhat ineffective as the executive committee of the NCAA did not have authority over individual schools.  According to committee chairman, Walter Harrison, “What each school decides to do is really its own business.”  In other words, the only authority the NCAA has is to ban schools with such mascots from competing in an NCAA championship tournament.  School officials, however, strongly disagree with the NCAA ruling.  Florida State president, T.K. Wetherell, threatened to take legal action against the NCAA stating, “Florida State University is stunned at the complete lack of appreciation for cultural diversity shown by the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s executive committee. … That the NCAA would now label our close bond with the Seminole Tribe of Florida as culturally ‘hostile and abusive’ is both outrageous and insulting.”  Athletic Director of Arkansas State University agrees with Wetherell in the representation of his school’s mascot:  “It is our objective to represent Native Americans in a dignified and stately manner.  We believe that our use of the nickname ‘Indians’ and ‘The Indian Family’ as our mascot affords the Native American customs and history the fullest respect and integrity.” 

In 1990, the Board of Trustees called Chief Illinwek of the University of Illinois a “dignified” symbol: “His ceremonial dance is done with grace and beauty. The Chief keeps the memory of the people of a great Native American tribe alive for thousands of Illinoisans who otherwise would know little or nothing of them.” According to these statements, it would seem that non-Native Americans believe they are honoring the tribe their school represents.