Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting

Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting is a comprehensive documentary that delves into the ongoing movement aimed at eliminating the use of offensive Native American terms, names, logos, images, and gestures. This important film highlights the adverse impacts that caricatures such as Chief Wahoo, the Cleveland Indians’ cartoonish logo, the Atlanta Braves’ “tomahawk chop,” and the derogatory term “Redskins” have had on both Native communities and society at large.

The documentary traces the origins of Native American cultural appropriation in competitive sports, showcasing how teams and franchises have adopted names and logos that lack genuine connections to the Native tribes whose cultures are being exploited. At the film’s core is the formidable figure of Suzan Shown Harjo, the President of the Morning Star Institute and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, whose decades-long fight against this cultural exploitation serves as a vital lens through which the audience can explore the historical context of the issue.

In examining the genocidal history of Native peoples in North America, the film emphasizes how this dark past has contributed to the perpetuation of negative stereotypes in sports, film, and television. The documentary features diverse perspectives from both Native and non-Native individuals, including strong advocacy represented by Harjo and her peers, such as Kevin Gover, the director of the National Museum of the American Indian, and Marshall McKay, the chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. Additionally, figures like W. Richard West, Jr., CEO of the Autry National Center of the American West, contribute insights into the ongoing debate around Native American mascoting.

The film critically surveys the legal history of activism against these derogatory representations, detailing several lawsuits spearheaded by Harjo and others over the years, notably the high-profile legal battles surrounding the “Redskins” name. It also unravels the contentious discourse about the National Football League (NFL)‘s nickname, which has historically been at the heart of Native advocacy. As the cultural climate shifts, the documentary raises questions about why the NFL has been resistant to name changes, despite addressing other issues of social justice such as domestic violence and LGBTQ rights. It also scrutinizes how team owner Dan Snyder’s outreach to engage with American Indian communities is perceived, including initiatives like creating playgrounds for economically disadvantaged tribes.

The film explores the etymology of the term “redskin”, tracing its origins from 19th-century newspaper advertisements that called for bounties on Native lives to its adoption by the Washington team’s franchise in the 1930s. It also delves into the story of William “Lone Star” Dietz, whose claims of Sioux ancestry led to the franchise’s controversial name change from the Boston Braves to the Redskins. Imagining the Indian provides a nuanced portrayal of the motivations behind those advocating for the removal of Native representations in sports, along with those who feel passionately about retaining such identities as part of sports culture.

The documentary illustrates successful campaigns to change names and mascots in high school and collegiate sports, highlighting achievements at institutions like Stanford, Dartmouth, and the University of North Dakota. Conversely, it also features groups such as the Honor the Chief Society, composed of University of Illinois alumni and students who support keeping the memory of former mascot “Chief Illiniwek” alive.

Moreover, the film discusses the lack of successful transitions from Native names in collegiate athletics to professional sports, prompting critical questions about the balance between brand recognition and cultural sensitivity. It probes how the NFL can take a stand against derogatory slurs for African Americans while maintaining a racial epithet for its Washington franchise.

Key issues for the American Indian community are examined, including whether a unified moral consensus among Native peoples is necessary to push this cause forward and the extent of Indian representation in sports and entertainment, which heavily influences public perception. The film highlights research from academics like Dr. Amy West, demonstrating the negative psychological impact that offensive imagery has on American Indian communities, particularly among the youth.

Imagining the Indian also addresses why Washington D.C.’s significant African American fan base, including prominent figures such as award-winning actors Jeffrey Wright and Taraji P. Henson, has not allied more closely with Native American protesters. The documentary considers how the presence of stereotypical imagery may contribute to harmful perceptions of other minority cultures.

Through compelling interviews with various stakeholders, including Congresspersons Eleanor Holmes-Norton and Deb Haaland, as well as professional Native athletes Bronson Koenig and Ryan Helsley, Imagining the Indian captures the wellspring of activism aimed at dismantling Native American mascoting. It looks ahead to the political activism of Generation Z, which appears to be cultivating a fresh perspective on issues encompassing gun control, climate change, and sports stereotyping.

Ultimately, this documentary strives to deliver comprehensive answers to these pressing questions while fostering a better understanding of the history and significance of this movement within today’s socio-political landscape.

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:03