Rosebud Sioux Tribe opposes mascots dehumanizing Native Americans

Statement of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe

Censored News

Dutch translation by Alice Holemans, at NAIS

“The Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council went on record at the May 25th, 2016 council meeting and voted unanimously in favor of a motion that the Rosebud Sioux Tribe stands in opposition to the Washington National Football League (NFL) team using the name Redskins.

Furthermore, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe stands in opposition to any and all racist, derogatory, mascots and their likeness names, etc.., which are meant to dehumanize and belittle Native Americans.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe will stand against racism and will not tolerate any team mascot claims under the guise that it is a means to honor Native Americans.”

Native Americans to Sonic Drive-In: Concrete action needed to eradicate racism

Native Americans urge Sonic Drive-in to create campaign to educate public about racism and mascots

By Jacqueline Keeler

Navajo/Yankton Dakota Sioux
Censored News
Dutch translation NAIS

BELTON, Missouri -- December 12, 2013  The Native American community is still shocked and angered by the racist sign saying, "KC Chiefs" Will Scalp the Redsk*ns Feed Them Whisky Send - 2 - Reservation put up by an employee at a Sonic Drive-in in Belton, Missouri.  The photo of which has been shared around the world and promotes negative stereotypes of Native people.  Later, another photo surfaced of a second sign the employee replaced the first racist sign with, "KC Chiefs'' Will Scalp the Redsk*ns Drain the Firewater out of them.  This one was also removed after patrons in Belton, Missouri demanded it.

And so, although we appreciate the tweets and other statements made to the press by Sonic Corporation (NASDAQ: SONC) executives of apology, we feel the company must do something concrete to show that they do not share the views of their employee (who was not fired) at the Sonic Drive-in in Belton, Missouri.  And we call upon both teams (Washington Redsk*ns and the Kansas City Chiefs) featured in the racist sign to denounce the sign (they have not) and to stop using Native people as mascots.  

We would like to see the following be done to redress the harm this sign has done and we hope that by doing these things a more positive message will be promoted about Native American people nationally and internationally and that Native Mascotry (the use of Native people as mascots for sports entertainment purposes) will be discontinued by all teams in our nation, particularly in our nation's capital (the Washington Redsk*ns).  

• Sonic Corporation will put up a sign with an apology and request that the use of Native people as Mascots be ended.  This sign can be at just the Sonic Drive-in in Belton, Missouri or at as many franchisees who are willing to and at the corporate offices.  It should say: "Sonic recognizes the harm Native Mascotry causes and wish that the Redsk*ns and KC Chiefs refrain from using Native people as Mascots.

• If Sonic Corporation and not one of the more than 3,500 restaurants across the country will make such a statement how can Native people patronize them? Even a tribally-owned one: the Sonic Drive-in owned by the Wyandotte tribe in Seneca, Missouri?  A lack of action implies agreement with the racist sign or at the very least, an unwillingness to come down on the side of what is right in a public way--as public as the racist signs were.

• We would also like to see Sonic Corporation to create a PSA working with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and purchase ads educating the public about the harmful stereotypes Native Mascotry promotes.

These steps will serve to restore a brand name that has been "trashed" as Sonic Corporation itself has said over Twitter.   It will also restore the good relations Sonic Corporation has with all its patrons in the United States and be helpful in redirecting the national conversation about racism and the use of stereotypes in a positive way and hopefully, help bring about the end of the use of Native people as mascots.

We would also like to thank the thousands of Americans who have expressed outrage over these signs.  Your concerns ensures that our country can be welcoming to all of its citizens including its original ones.  We would particularly like to thank the Leadership Council on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition of 85 organizations include the NAACP and the ACLU for passing a resolution calling for the Washington Redsk*ns owner Dan Snyder to drop the team's offensive name.  As Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights said:

“This is not someone else’s problem, this is everyone’s problem. Having an offensive slur for the Washington team name teaches young people to celebrate the denigration of people for being who they are. That has a damaging psychic impact on individuals, as well as on the entire nation. Changing the name is the right thing do, regardless of how comfortable fans have become with it. And when Mr. Snyder does decide to put the slur away, I think he’ll discover a new market of consumers who recognize the dignity of all people and want to honor that with the sports teams they support.”

We hope that states like Wisconsin where Governor Walker has failed to stop the passage of AB 297, and are greatly reducing protections against the promotion of Native stereotypes to impressionable youth in their state, will come to realize the truth of Henderson's words.

For more information on the harmful affects of the use of Native mascots please see the NCAI website at www.ncai.org

Contact: Jacqueline Keeler (Navajo/Yankton Dakota Sioux)

Eradicating Offensive Native Mascotry (EONM) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/eonaim/

eonmassoc@gmail.com 

AIM West Conference November 2013

.

UPDATE

Monday's live coverage from AIM West 2013

http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2013/11/live-aim-west-monday-nov-25-2013.html

By Tony Gonzales

Censored News

Friends and relations of AIM Grand Governing Council, I wish to also extend an invitation for you to participate at our annual AIM West Coast Conference, or summit, starting on Monday and Tuesday, November 25 and 26, at the California Institute for Integral Studies in San Francisco (on Mission between 10 and 11 St).  

The conference will be held from 9-6 pm daily. Don’t forget we also host an annual feast, Unthanksgiving Dinner, Wednesday, November 27, where the Eagle meets the Condor, at the Baha’i Center, 175 Valencia Street. Thursday, November 28, is the annual Sun Rise gathering at Alcatraz Island. Try to stay for our 2nd Annual Red and Blues Concert, Friday, November 29, at the Brava Theater, in the Mission.

When:  November 25-26;

Where:  Center of Institute for Integral Studies 

              1453 Mission Street (between 10th & 11)

               San Francisco, CA 94103

Time:  9 am to 6 pm daily

              San Francisco, Ca. 94103

              www.ciis.edu 

Firstly, we assemble to hear reports from delegates or representatives with pressing issues from various regions. The general information and empirical data delivered to the august body is to further provide an analyses to reach common ground, and to strategize and conclude certain resolutions together for change.  Other topics will include useful information on issues, resource, development and networking, use of the media, funding sources and sustainability, and other relevant data.  While other topics may be covered or on-going, the focus is on where and how to apply tactics for leveraging power, with a human rights based approach.

Another topic may include a critical review of whether the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007, is being applied and implemented on the ground, with transparency, or is the political will lacking on the part of governments; and what alternatives plans or or is there a parallel conference during the United Nations hosting a special plenary in New York, September 2014 for world's Indigenous peoples? An international report will also be a part of this presentation.

Other national topics for discussion may be the review of the US Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978.  The recent Supreme Court Decision with regard to the Dustin Brown case literally throw the ICWA under the bus! And how Dustin's daughter was found not allowed to be with him, will be discussed.  A report may be provided by advocates on what or how to amend the Act, or next steps, for the ICWA to be taken seriously and prevent further abuse and theft of our children by the law.

The attention or traction generated by the use of Indians as mascots in baseball and football in the news media recently, coupled with activism and attention given by major media networks, including the US President himself speaking against discrimination in sports, and with petitions circulating on the internet should not be overlooked.  Indeed, we should take advantage to harness the energy and focus on a catalytic moment to have a face to face approach with those responsible parties.

These are just some of the huge topics that require our attention. Perhaps you have some concerns for us to consider on the agenda?  Please send them to me.  Mark your calendars now!  We are low budgeted and limited on how best to provide assistance to guests and delegates from out of town.  

AIM members, chapters, affiliates, friends, allies, and public who support the rights of Indigenous peoples to self-determination are all invited to come and contribute your ideas. A continental breakfast and a lunch will be provide with community support.

Additionally, plan to stay for our annual UN-thanksgiving feast/dinner and cultural program to be held on Wednesday, 27th from 12 to 6 pm, at the Baha'i Center, 175 Valencia St. San Francisco.  Thursday, November 28 is the annual Alcatraz Sun Rise Gathering at pier #33 (4 am!) 

And finally, for the second year, a benefit for AIM-WEST, on Friday, November 29, Native American Day, the annual Red n Blues concert! And back for another performance our headliner "Twice as Good" also with "Dr. T and the Blues Bandits" including the Bay area's own "Bob Brown Project" all at the Brava Women's Center for the Arts, 2781 24th Street in San Francisco.

Tickets on sale at www.brava.org 

Thank you for your attention, see you soon, all my relatives!

Antonio Gonzales

AIM-WEST director

www.aimwest.info

www.aimovement.org

www.whoisleonardpeltier.info

Antonio Gonzales, AIM-WEST Director

www.aimwest.info