Native American groups applaud Cleveland Indians name change to ‘Guardians’

Adrien Pochel, a member of the Chi-Nations Youth Council, said: “This is the bare minimum. Indigenous peoples have demanded that these large organizations be held accountable for using stereotypes. harmful”

The team has been known as the Indians since 1915. The organization made the decision to change its name in response to social unrest following the killing of George Floyd last year.

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Their new name refers to Cleveland’s architectural history, and their colors will remain the same.

“We hope and believe that this change will divert us from a divisive path and instead direct us to a future where success,” said Paul Dolan, owner of Cleveland Indians. Our city and fan district unite as Cleveland Defenders.”

Tol Foster is the interim director of the Native American Assistance Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He says the way Native Americans are often portrayed is harmful.

“These kinds of racist mascots damage children’s self-perception that when children are out in the school yard, they are not like adults, they tend to call each other names,” he said.

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NS Washington football team dropped their controversial name last year. Their new name is expected next year.
Earlier this week in our region, Lemont 210 High School District Board of Education voted to stop using Indians for athletics.

Some hope that the Chicago Blackhawks will make a difference, but the Blackhawks organization previously said they have no plans to change their name or logo because it symbolizes an important and historic person.

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“They really didn’t take the time and money to educate people about the true story of the Indians here and the real story of the Black Hawk,” said Dr. Dorene Wiese, president of the American Indian Association. in Illinois said.

Dr. Wiese said she wants more people to take the time to learn about American Indian history.

“We don’t live in our teens. We live in apartments and houses. We dress like everyone else. We don’t put hair in our hair every day,” she said.