"Nearly 30 schools determined to hang on to their 'Native'' sports references have filed reports with the National Collegiate Athletic Association justifying their continued use of race-based team identities. The NCAA Executive Committee would be well-advised to file the reports without reading them and start composing a letter telling all the schools to find new team identities - ones that don't offend living peoples.

The reports from the NCAA colleges and universities contain more words than ideas and offer up the same tired excuses for their 'Native' names, logos, symbols and mascots.

Some of their teams are called 'Indians,' 'Redmen' and other generic names for Native people. Some are named after tribes - Chippewas, Choctaws, Senecas, Utes. Others are 'Braves,' 'Chieftains' and 'Warriors.' It is their context and accompanying images and behaviors that add up to an offense against Native people."

Get the Story:
Suzan Shown Harjo: NCAA: Keep your eye on the ball (Indian Country Today 5/26)

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