For #NFLSalute & Native American Heritage month, the #Redskins celebrate & honor members of the Navajo Code Talkers pic.twitter.com/Cjn7f6wTgk

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) November 26, 2013

Peter MacDonald, a former chairman of the Navajo Nation, defended the Washington professional football team's racist mascot at a Navajo Nation Council meeting, the Associated Press reports.

MacDonald, who served time in federal prison, said the mascot honors Indian people. He urged lawmakers not to pass a bill that calls for the elimination of the controversial name.

Navajo Nation Council Delegate Lavar Butler, the sponsor of the bill, says mascots pose psychological harms to Indian children. The Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission, a tribal entity, supports the measure.

Navajo lawmakers, however, are holding off on the bill until they hear from schools on the reservation. At least one school has the same mascot as the Washington team, the AP said.

Get the Story:
Navajo Nation panel delays action on legislation against NFL team's 'Redskins' name (AP 3/31)

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