Growing up rural Illinois, one heated debate always resonated in our town. This debate was over the use of Native Americans as mascots for sports teams. Up until 2001, my High School’s mascot was proudly named the Glenwood High Redskins.
My beloved hockey team, the Chicago Blackhawks, displays their mascot emblem, a Native American figurehead, on all of their equipment and sweaters.
I grew up very close to the University of Illinois and am a big Fightin’ Illini fan. Their name alludes to the great Illini tribe of the Midwest Plains and a deep tradition of ‘The Chief Illiniwek’ ceremonial dance at halftimes in sporting events was sadly banned in 2007. By far one of the most coveted mascots in all the land that day marked the end of a very long and historic tradition for the Illini. But I digress, the real reason to the post is to answer this question, Why are Native Americans so heavily utilized as mascot? And touch on the moral argument made for/against having Native Americans as mascots.
In my mind I believe there are a couple reasons as to why high schools, universities, and professional sports teams are drawn to the idea of having a Native American mascot. First being the draw of Native American culture. As we all recall in ‘Blood Meridian’, Indians were known for their ruthless acts of violence juxtaposed with a natural sentiment of harmony. We envy Native American culture because they held a perfect relationship of yin and yang with the universe.
Calmness coupled with chaos, violence with love, passion with ferocity, serenity with hatred; Native Americans used both sides of the spectrum for the overall preservation of tribal life and earthly harmony. Using this long lost ideal we can draw a parallel with sports teams (like in hockey) the physical presence of the Blackhawks along with the grace and precision required to play the sport. Next, there is also the respect for Native Americans envied by hockey, football, basketball, or whatever sports player. These tribes have been all but decimated and relocated but still a pervasive theme of community remains. Is there any better comparison for a group of diehard fans? Native American mascots are so perfect for sports teams because their ideals of community, cohesion, and social harmony, and their stance with ying (violence) and yang (love) in the universe. However the debate still continues…is it still morally acceptable to have Native Americans as mascots?
In my mind I think it is still acceptable. I personally was crushed when they changed our high school’s mascot and was devastated knowing that the eighty-year old traditions of the Chief Illiniwek dance had to end. I believe (along with many Native Americans) that having them as mascots is like a homage. A preservation of history, tradition, and a vehicle to the past, for all different tribe members to take pride in. However, there are people who believe it objectifies their culture and protest with signs stating, “We Are People, Not Mascots”. They claim their people are being highly stereotyped to an incredible degree. They believe their identity, culture and history is being mocked and monopolized by people unaware to their people’s traditions. I’ll toss it up to the audience…What do you think? Is using Native Americans a sign of homage or a sign of disrespect to the tribe?
