Resolution Recommending the Immediate Termination of the Use of Native American Cultural and Spiritual Images as Mascots
WHEREAS, the Washington State Native American Higher Education Consortium (WSNAHEC) is an organization of individuals supporting the increased and equitable access of Native people to higher education; and
WHEREAS, the WSNAHEC is dedicated to promoting quality educational opportunities for American Indian students and for all students; and
WHEREAS, the WSNAHEC believes that the use of Native American images as mascots promotes and perpetuates a derogatory and stereotypical image of Native people; and
WHEREAS, the WSNAHEC believes that these negative images are likely to have a negative impact on the self-esteem of Native American children and contribute to a hostile learning environment for Native students; and
WHEREAS, the WSNAHEC believes the use of Native American mascots is a negative means of appropriating and denigrating Native cultural identity that involves the display and depiction of ceremonial symbols and practices that may have religious significance to Native Americans; and
WHEREAS, the WSNAHEC believes that to continue the negative use of Native American's tribal names, spiritual symbols and images is an offensive practice that would be considered intolerable were other ethnic groups or minorities depicted in a similar manner; and
WHEREAS, the United States Commission on Civil Rights issued a Statement on the Use of Native American Images and Nicknames as Sports Symbols on April 13, 2001, that called for an end to the use of Native American images and team names by non-Indian schools; and
WHEREAS, the American Psychological Association (APA) issued a press release on October 18, 2005, regarding the APA’s resolution "Recommending the Immediate Retirement of American Indian Mascots, Symbols, Images, and Personalities by Schools, Colleges, Universities, Athletic Teams, and Organizations"; and
WHEREAS, the APA recognizes that the continued use of Native American "mascots, symbols, images and personalities undermines the educational experiences of all communities", "establishes an unwelcome and often times hostile learning environment", and "appears to have a negative impact on the self-esteem of American Indian children"; and
WHEREAS, the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) released a statement on July 23, 2001, opposing American Indian mascots and indicating that "objectifying American Indians through team names, logos, caricatures and mascots, which most often characterizes them as aggressive and violent, perpetuates racist terms that are often used against them", "are deeply offensive and insulting", and "undermine the respect and dignity of this country’s first people"; and
WHEREAS, the American Anthropological Association (AAA) called upon "all educators and administrators of educational institutions to stop promoting the stereotypical representation of American Indian people through the use of sports mascots" recognizing that such "stereotypical presentations humiliates American Indian people, trivializes the scholarship of anthropologists, undermines the learning environment of all students, and seriously compromises efforts to promote diversity on school and college campuses" (Annual Business Meeting Minutes, January 2000); and
WHEREAS, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Executive Committee has adopted a policy (press release date August 5, 2005) "prohibiting colleges or universities with hostile or abusive mascots, nicknames or imagery from hosting any NCAA championship competitions" (effect February 1, 2006) and the committee lauded institutional best practices of "not scheduling athletic competitions with schools who use Native American nicknames, imagery or mascots";
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington State Native American Higher Education Consortium (WSNAHEC) joins the United States Commission on Civil Rights, the American Psychological Association, the National Conference for Community and Justice, the American Anthropological Association, and many other public and private organizations and institutions in the call to eliminate the use of Native American names and images as mascots;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the WSNAHEC calls upon the Washington State Legislature to enact affirmative legislation to end the use of Native American people (as well as other people of color), images, and cultural symbols as mascots in Washington State;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the WSNAHEC calls upon the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and all educational organizations and institutions in Washington State to work with the Tribal Leaders Congress and other tribal organizations to provide a meaningful education about Native American people, issues, and cultures Washington State,
THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the WSNAHEC calls upon all Washington educational institutions and their affiliated sports teams to support the NCAA’s recommendations and refuse to engage in, support or host athletic events with schools who use Native American nicknames, imagery or mascots in their team name, publications, uniforms, or paraphernalia.
CERTIFICATION:
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was considered and passed by the Washington State Native American Higher Education Consortium in accordance with its By-laws, on this 21th day of the month of March 2006.
Larry Pierce, Spokesperson
Attested:
Kathy Lores, Secretary
Approved March 21, 2006