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Navajo Nation Council opposes 'disparaging' mascots in sports

Friday, April 11, 2014

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

The Navajo Nation Council passed a resolution that opposes the use of racist mascots in professional sports.

Council Delegate Lavar Butler introduced the bill after members of the Navajo Code Talkers Association drew national attention for their appearance at a Washington football game last year. Peter MacDonald, a former chairman of the Navajo Nation, later defended the team's name at a council meeting last month.

"The use of terms referencing Native Americans in professional sports has a negative psychological effect on Native Americans, such as promoting low self-esteem and self-image in Native youth who are already disadvantaged by social ills beyond their control," the resolution states.

The Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission, a tribal agency, and the Diné Medicine Men Association supported the resolution.

Get the Story:
Navajo Nation Council opposes NFL team’s name (AP 4/11)
UN expert weighs in on Redskins controversy (AP 4/11)