Controversial Names and Mascots

Race and Ethnicity
Controversial Names and Mascots

By: Emily Forloines & Alex Wenrich

In the 1960’s during the Civil Rights Movement, Native Americans began to strive for the same equalities and respect as minorities and females in the nation. They started to argue against governments and other forms of law with the use of Native American and other unethical representations of culture heritage. However, what most people seem to be unaware of is that Native American mascots were some of the first used in American sports. Most, if not all, Americans follow the belief that mascots are used to show bravery, courage and intimidation. While others think it’s a representation of culture, it’s really a mockery to one’s heritage.

The University of North Dakota is known for their national male and female powerhouse hockey teams. At the beginning of the founding of the school, their mascot and logo was flickertails. In the year 1930, the term “Sioux” was adopted. Somewhere in between the 1940s and 1950s, the term “fighting” was added to the beginning of Sioux. Several controversies have been around the university because they have a huge Indian head on the center of Ralph Engelstad Arena. 

                                               

The main Sioux tribe in North Dakota; Spirit Lake Sioux, approved of the university using their name as a part of their school. The smaller Sioux tribe, Standing Rock Sioux, did not approve of this action. Due to the disapproval, home North Dakota hockey matches were rarely, if never, televised because they found skating over Sioux’s head was offensive. Consequently, because of the rare occurrence of televised matches, they are unable to host a Frozen Four championship tournament. In 2007, the NCAA agreed with Ralph Engelstad Arena to permit them to keep their ten-foot lobby floor design of the Indian logo.

However, all references to the term “home of the fighting Sioux” must be changed. “I’m very pleased that the NCAA was willing to show flexibility in its policy,” said North Dakota attorney general Wayne Stenehjem, An NCAA statement reads, “The agreement by Ralph Engelstad Arena to reduce the nickname in Native American mascot imagery, and to place the imagery in a historical content, is consistent with the NCAA policy for the University of North Dakota to host championships that could possibly be held at this time in the future, (ESPN)”

       

Also, the male hockey team has removed the Native American logo off their jerseys and replaced it with the words “North Dakota.”

Another thing that cannot be removed from the arena is the brass Native American plates at the end of each aisle.

To the average fan, they view it as take the branding all away or leave everything as it is. Since the vote in 2012 passed to discontinue the mascot and logo, their athletic program will not be banned from the postseason and they are allowed to adopt a new logo and mascot during the year 2015.  The Pro Shop at Ralph Engelstad Arena still has items with the old mascot and logo too, which may confuse fans and Native Americans. Honestly, what they cannot ignore is that it was once part of this great institution’s history and it cannot be erased. 

According to Coakley’s text in chapter nine, “Race and Ethnicity” he refers to this as “Identity Theft.” I agree with Coakley that Native American mascots need to go. The part that I can live with is the use of Native American mascots if it was handled properly. For example, Florida State requested permission from the Seminole tribe to use their people ask a university logo. Teams like the Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cleveland Indians should not have Native American mascots and they need a name change as soon as possible.