The Campaign to End Harmful “Indian” Mascots

The State of Illinois has the 3rd Most Indian Mascots. There are currently 180 schools using these mascots Names include Braves, Warriors, Raiders, Indians and REDSKINS!

Schools with Indian Mascots without Pictures Dalzell Elementary School Dalzell, Illinois mascot – Indians Ladd Community Consolidated School Ladd, Illinois mascot – Indians

Dimmick Elementary School LaSalle, IL

Wallace Elementary, Ottawa, IL

Woodland Elementary Streator, Illinois

Waltham Elementary (North and South) Utica, IL REDSKINS

Cleveland Indians Chief Wahoo

Quotes from the World Series Local Elementary School Teach – “Let’s go cubbies. Scalp those Indians”. Skin the Indians Kill those Indians Scalp Chief Wahoo It’s time for a new Trail of Tears

Trail of Tears

Words Matter "The use of American Indian mascots as symbols in schools and university athletic programs is particularly troubling because schools are places of learning. These mascots are teaching stereotypical, misleading and too often, insulting images of American Indians. These negative lessons are not just affecting American Indian students; they are sending the wrong message to all students." - Former APA President Ronald F. Levant, EdD

Undermining the educational experiences of members of all communities-especially those who have had little or no contact with Indigenous peoples. Establishes an unwelcome and often times hostile learning environment for American Indians students that affirms negative images/stereotypes that are promoted in mainstream society. Undermines the ability of American Indian Nations to portray accurate and respectful images of their culture, spirituality, and traditions Presents stereotypical images of American Indians  Such mascots are a contemporary example of prejudice by the dominant culture against racial and ethnic minority groups.

National Congress of American Indians As the nation’s oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native advocacy organization, NCAI has long held a clear position against derogatory and harmful stereotypes of Native people—including sports mascots—in media and popular culture. In 1968 NCAI launched a campaign to address stereotypes of Native people in popular culture and media, as well as in sports. NCAI's position is clear, longstanding, and deeply rooted in our seventy years as a leading voice for Indian Country - we advocate for and protect the civil rights, social justice, and racial equity of all Native people in all parts of American society.

About "Indian" Sports Mascots & Harm Born in an era when racism and bigotry were accepted by the dominant culture, "Indian" sports brands have grown to become multi-million dollar franchises. The intolerance and harm promoted by these “Indian” sports mascots, logos, or symbols, have very real consequences for Native people.  Specifically, rather than honoring Native peoples, these caricatures and stereotypes are harmful, perpetuate negative stereotypes of America’s first peoples, and contribute to a disregard for the personhood of Native peoples. As documented in a comprehensive review of decades of social science research, derogatory "Indian" sports mascots have serious psychological, social and cultural consequences for Native Americans, especially Native youth. Of today’s American Indian and Alaska Native population, those under the age of 18 make up 32 percent, and Native youth under the age of 24 represent nearly half, or 42 percent, of the entire Native population. Most concerning in considering negative stereotypes of Native people, are the alarmingly high rates of hate crimes against Native people.  According to Department of Justice analysis, “American Indians are more likely than people of other races to experience violence at the hands of someone of a different race.” These factors together indicate a very real need to take immediate action in a number of areas, including the removal of harmful images as well as the education of the general public, to diffuse additional hateful activity against Native peoples.