College of Ethnic Studies school had no say whether to accept or decline the “Indians” nickname. It is ironic that an Indian boarding school was the site of the first use of Native American nicknames. One of the main goals of governmentsponsored boarding schools was to assimilate Native youth into white, dominant U.S. culture, wiping away the youth’s Native culture and tradition in the process (Adams, 1995). For national media and opposing coaches to nickname the football team the “Indians” shows a sign of control; it suggests that the youth in these boarding schools are allowed to be “Indians” only when others say it is acceptable, and only if they abide to dominant society’s constructs of what it means to be “Indian.” This is a big example of how “groups outside the American Indian community imposed most Indian mascots, logos, and nicknames on athletic teams” (Pewewardy, 2004, p. 181). Those who insist on keeping these Native mascots, nicknames, and logos are not Natives Americans themselves and base their support for the sake of “tradition.” Use of Native American Mascots, Logos, and Nicknames in Professional Sports Two popular professional teams that are currently using Native Americans as mascots, logos, and nicknames are the Cleveland Indians of MLB and the Washington Redskins of the NFL. The Cleveland Indians franchise has a history of name changes since its beginning as the Cleveland Forest Citys in 1869 (Nicholson, 2004). After short stints with nicknames such as the Spiders, the Broncos, and the Naps, a Cleveland newspaper decided to hold a contest to rename the baseball team in 1915 (Schneider, 2001; Nicholson, 2004). The winning nickname was “Indians” in honor of the first American Indian to play major league baseball, Louis Sockalexis (Nicholson, 2004). Supporters of Native mascots, logos, and nicknames insisted that it was as an honor to be named after something, yet the name itself was a reference to Sockalexis’ racial background and not his actual name. While the “Indians” nickname was implemented to honor a past player, it is the team logo that has led to much backlash and controversy. Chief Wahoo is the logo that is placed on in-game uniforms
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