With all the misinformation published today regarding Native-themed sports mascots, imagery, logos and such - no one can really understand the issue fully unless you know and understand how these images and logos came to be. It didn't happen overnight, and it wasn't always for the reasons the teams are telling you today.
It's easy to look backwards and make assumptions, based on today's feelings, on how something came to be, but unless you know the historical context of what was happening at that time, you really can't get the whole picture. It's easy to say so-and-so evolved from the purpose of honoring someone, but HOW did they honor them? And what has it become today? You need to see the evolution of that team, and all teams, to really understand the American Indian point of view with regard to how these images make them feel as a collective race, as tribal communities, and as individual people.
Over the past 10 years I've collected thousands of newspaper articles on this subject, as well as American Indian history as a whole. Given the heated debate in today's social media, and right outside the gridiron gates themselves, I felt it was my duty to present these clippings to the public to illustrate not only the evolution of particular teams, but also to add historical context as to what was happening to the indigenous people while these teams were developing into who they are today.
I've created labels at the right to help you better navigate through the wealth of information presented here. If you have additional information you would like for me to include, please contact me. If you are going to threaten, slur, challenge or debate me - save it. I won't respond. And no, I won't remove items from the blog. I created this to educate readers on the long, arduous and varied history of 1) Revering American Indian athletes, and 2) Using their names and likenesses to sell tickets to pageantry games and create school spirit in high school gymnasiums and then 3) Appropriating their likenesses, names, and stereotypical imagery completely, and 4) Justifying the insults and mocking, and fighting to retain it all, while slapping Native people in the face by claiming it's all an honor (and they just don't get it).
Feel free to share the images on Pinterest, Facebook, and anywhere else you wish - just be sure to link back to the timeline.
Thank you and I look forward to your comments.
Cheers,
Terri Jean
Historical Activist