Dear Native American  Caucus members, friends and supporters, 
pasted below is the actual statement of the The United States Commission on 
Civil Rights - which was issued Friday April 13, 2001 -  on the Use of Native 
American Images and Nicknames as Sports Symbols 
Raven Lopez-Workman 
NA Caucus 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

The United States Commission on Civil Rights 

Commission Statement on the Use of Native American Images and Nicknames as Sports Symbols 
Issued: April 13, 2001 
 

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights calls for an end to the use of Native 
American images and team names by non-Native schools. The Commission deeply 
respects the right of all Americans to freedom of expression under the First 
Amendment and in no way would attempt to prescribe how people can express 
themselves. However, the Commission believes that the use of Native American 
images and nicknames in schools is insensitive and should be avoided. In 
addition, some Native American and civil rights advocates maintain that these 
mascots may violate anti-discrimination laws. These 
references, whether mascots and their performances, logos, or names, are 
disrespectful and offensive to American Indians and others who are offended 
by such stereotyping. They are particularly inappropriate and insensitive in 
light of the long history of forced assimilation that American Indian people 
have endured in this country. Since the civil rights movement of the 1960s 
many overtly derogatory symbols and images offensive to African-Americans 
have been eliminated. However, many secondary schools, post-secondary 
institutions, and a number of professional sports teams continue to use 
Native American nicknames and imagery. Since the 1970s, American Indians 
leaders and organizations have vigorously voiced their opposition to these 
mascots and team names because they mock and trivialize Native American 
religion and culture. It is particularly disturbing that Native American 
references are still to be found in educational institutions, whether 
elementary, secondary or post-secondary. Schools are places where diverse 
groups of people come together to learn not only the "Three Rs," but also how 
to interact respectfully with people from different cultures. The use of 
stereotypical images of Native Americans by educational institutions has the 
potential to create a racially hostile educational environment that may be 
intimidating to Indian students. American Indians have the lowest high school 
graduation rates in the nation and even lower college attendance and 
graduation rates. The perpetuation of harmful stereotypes may exacerbate 
these problems. The stereotyping of 
any racial, ethnic, religious or other groups when promoted by our public 
educational institutions, teach all students that stereotyping of minority 
groups is acceptable, a dangerous lesson in a diverse society. Schools have a 
responsibility to educate their students; they should not use their influence 
to perpetuate misrepresentations of any culture or people. Children at the 
elementary and secondary levels usually have no choice about which school 
they attend. Further, the assumption that a college student may freely 
choose another educational institution if she feels uncomfortable around 
Indian-based imagery is a false one. Many factors, from educational programs 
to financial aid to proximity to home, limit a college student's choices. It 
is particularly onerous if the student must also consider whether or not the 
institution is maintaining a racially hostile environment for Indian 
students. Schools that continue the use of Indian imagery and references 
claim that their use stimulates interest in Native American culture and 
honors Native Americans. These institutions have simply failed to listen to 
the Native groups, 
religious leaders, and civil rights organizations that oppose these symbols. 

These Indian-based symbols and team names are not accurate representations of 
Native Americans. Even those that purport to be positive are romantic 
stereotypes that give a distorted view of the past. These false portrayals 
prevent non-Native Americans from understanding the true historical and 
cultural experiences of American Indians. Sadly, they also encourage biases 
and prejudices that have a negative effect on contemporary Indian people. 

These references may encourage interest in mythical "Indians" created by the 
dominant culture, but they block genuine understanding of contemporary Native 
people as fellow Americans. The Commission assumes that when Indian imagery 
was first adopted or sports mascots it was not to offend Native Americans. 
However, the use of the imagery and traditions, no matter how popular, should 
end when they are offensive. We applaud those who have been leading the fight 
to educate the public and the institutions that have voluntarily discontinued 
the use of insulting mascots. Dialogue and education are 
the roads to understanding. The use of American Indian mascots is not a 
trivial matter. The Commission has a firm understanding of the problems of 
poverty, education, housing, and health care that face many Native Americans. 
The fight to eliminate Indian nicknames and images in sports is only one 
front of the larger battle to eliminate obstacles that confront American 
Indians. The elimination of Native American nicknames and images as sports 
mascots will benefit not only Native Americans, but all Americans. The 
elimination of 
stereotypes will make room for education about real Indian people, current 
Native American issues, and the rich variety of American Indians in our 
country. 

The United States Commission on Civil Rights 
April 13, 2001