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VII. HOW OTHER SCHOOLS HAVE DEALT WITH ISSUE OF INDIAN DESIGNATIONS

 

Many schools and educational organizations have addressed the issue of Indian logos or references with regard to team names. There has been a long list of universities and colleges that have changed their logos, mascots or names. That list, together with school-related organizations speaking out on the subject, is included below:

Dartmouth- "Indians" to "Big Green"

Marquette University retired "Willie Wampum" mascot and later changed name from "Warriors" to "Golden Eagles"

Stanford - "Indians" to "Cardinal"

Dickinson State (North Dakota) - "Savages" to "Blue Hawks"

University of Oklahoma retired "Little Red" mascot

Syracuse University retired "Saltine Warrior"

Southern Oregon University ceased using Indian depictions to promote its "Red Raiders"

Sienna College (Loudonville, New York) - "Indians" to "Saints"

The National Education Association passed two resolutions denouncing the use of ethnic-related sports team mascots, symbols and nicknames

Eastern Michigan University - "Huron" to "Eagles"

Simpson College - "Redmen" and "Lady Reds" to "Thundercats"

State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction issues directive "strongly urging" discontinuance of use in all Wisconsin schools of American Indian-related mascots

Hartwick College (Oneconto, New York) - "Warriors" to "Hawks"

St. Johns University (New York) - "Redmen" to "Redstorm"

Miami of Ohio - "Redskins" to "Redhawks"

Adams State (Colorado) - "Indian" to "Grizzly"

Southern Nazarene University (Oklahoma) - "Redskins" to "Crimson Storm"

NCAA committee reports that "Indian mascots that use Indian caricatures and mimic ceremonial rites do not comply with the NCAA's commitment to ethnic student welfare. "

Oklahoma City University - "Chiefs" to "Stars"

Hendrix College (Arkansas) retires Indian head logo but retains "Warriors" nickname

Seattle University - "Chieftains" to "Red Hawks"

 

We are aware of three other Division I schools in addition to the U of I that have retained their Indian references: Florida State (Seminoles); North Dakota (Fighting Sioux): and San Diego State (Aztecs with mascot Montezuma).

Florida State University

"Seminoles"

While Florida State College began as a women's college, in 1947 it became coed and was renamed Florida State University (FSU). At that time, the school conducted a campus-wide contest to select a name for its athletic teams. "Seminoles" was the winning entry.

In 1975, in consultation with Chief Howard Tommie, then chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, FSU created Osceola, a portrayal of an Indian who charges onto the football field on horseback at the beginning of home football games. Osceola ends his charge by throwing a flaming lance at midfield. Osceola appears only at home football games and at the homecoming parade. The Seminole Tribe designed the costume worn by Osceola. Historically, Osceola was a Seminole leader who was captured by Federal troops in the battle to move the Seminoles from Florida to the unoccupied land west of the Mississippi. After dying while in captivity, he remains honored by the Seminoles to this day.

The student who rides as Osceola is selected by the owner of the horse and not the University. In addition, to perpetuate the tradition after the owner's death, he has established a trust fund for the replacement and care of the horses.

The Seminole Tribe participates in many University functions. The present Chief has given concerts at the University in his native language. Each year, a homecoming Chief and Princess are elected by the student body. At halftime of the homecoming football game, a Princess and Junior Princess from the Seminole Tribe crown the student Chief and Princess with headdresses designed and made by the Seminoles. A tribal chant has been presented to the University but has proven difficult for the crowds to perform.

Florida law provides for a college scholarship fund for the benefit of members of the Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes. The scholarship committee honors the recommendations of the tribes as to who should be the recipients of the scholarships.

National native American groups have opposed the use of Seminoles as the FSU nickname. For those protestors opposing the use of the name and who routinely picket FSU home football games, the school provides a secure place for them to picket. Interestingly, there has been no vocal protest of the use of Osceola.

The following article, found on the FSU website, is informative:

Seminoles - Heroic Symbol at Florida State

By Dr. Dale W. Lick

Former President, Florida State University

 

The history of the Seminole Indians in Florida is the story of a noble, brave, courageous, strong and determined people who, against great odds, struggled successfully to preserve their heritage and live their lives according to their traditions and preferences.

From its earliest days as a university, Florida State has proudly identified its athletic teams with these heroic people because they represent the traits we want our athletes to have. Other athletic teams are called Patriots or Volunteers in the same way - they use a symbol that represents qualities they admire.

Recent critics have complained that the use of Indian symbolism is derogatory. Any symbol can be misused and become derogatory. This, however, has never been the intention at Florida State.

Over the years, we have worked closely with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to ensure the dignity and propriety of the various Seminole symbols we use. Chief Osceola, astride his Appaloosa when he plants a flaming spear on the 50-yard line, ignites a furious enthusiasm and loyalty in thousands of football fans, but also salutes a people who have proven that perseverance with integrity prevails.

Some traditions we cannot control. For instance, in the early 1980's, when our band, the Marching Chiefs, began the now-famous arm motion while singing the "war chant," who knew that a few years later the gesture would be picked up by other team's fans and named the "tomahawk chop?"It's a term we did not choose and officially do not use.

Our university's goal is to be a model community that treats all cultures with dignity while celebrating diversity.

I have appointed a task force to review our use of Seminole Indian symbols and traditions. This study group will identify what might be offensive and determine what needs to be done.

Our good relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida is one we have cultivated carefully and one we hope to maintain, to the benefit of both the Seminoles of our state and university.

Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman James E. Billie expressed the point in these words: "We are proud to be Seminoles, and we are proud of the Florida State University Seminoles. We are all winners. "

(from USA Today, Tuesday, May 18, 1993)

 

University of North Dakota

"Fighting Sioux"

In contrast to the lack of any significant campus controversy at FSU, the University of North Dakota (UND) is engaged currently in a process very similar to the U of I's Dialogue. >From news accounts, the mood of the campus protests at that campus in Grand Forks is far more heated than at the Urbana campus. Among the several reasons for the difference is that there are more Native American students at UND than at U of I. Additionally, most of the Native American students at UND are from tribes other than Sioux.

At UND, the issue of the retention of the nickname is considered to be an administrative issue and as such is being handled by the president of the university. Since 1971 three different presidents of the university have dealt with the issue. Between1971 and 1992, during the tenure of President Thomas Clifford, several Indian-related issues were addressed. These issues included elimination of caricatures, development of Indian Studies, and the establishment of various support programs for Indian students. As he was retiring from his presidency, President Clifford's last public statement on the use of the name and symbol was: "I just don't see the reason for changing it right now. The very leaders of the Sioux Nation supported that. When the leaders of the Sioux Nation come and tell me they don't want it, I'll respect that. "

From 1992 through 1999 under President Kendall Baker's administration, steps were taken to get more Indian input into the broad issues of Indian relations. However, the controversy over the nickname and the question of the elimination of the school's Blackhawk emblem escalated. In February, 1999, President Baker made his last public statement on the issue:

A controversy over the use of the Sioux team name was among the first issues that faced me when I came to North Dakota in 1992. After much conversation and consultation, it was my conclusion that there was no consensus on this issue, not even among Native Americans. I decided, therefore, that the respectful use of the team name should continue and, indeed, that the appropriate use of the name could be a positive influence in helping UND encourage respect and appreciation for diversity in all of its forms. Although some individuals disagreed with me then, as they do today, this remains my position on the issue.

In closing, let me be very clear: Although the approach UND took regarding the team name was and is, in my view, an appropriate one, I also have stated on numerous public occasions that the issue remains on the agenda for dialogue, discussion, and learning.

 

On July 1, 1999, the term of UND president, Charles E. Kupchella, began. The protests not only have continued but have escalated to the point that there are safety concerns on campus. At the beginning of the spring semester, President Kupchella announced plans to work with the University Senate and the Strategic Planning Committee in the formation of a group to examine the issues raised by the controversy and make recommendations to him on its resolution.

Shortly after that announcement, President Kupchella formed the committee with the faculty representative to the NCAA as chair. In addition, the committee includes two former North Dakota state governors, a retired Colorado Supreme Court justice, representatives from the alumni association, Native American groups, Native American students, faculty members, and athletes. The committee has met several times and a report may be forthcoming very soon. However, the president has reserved the right to make the final decision himself.

As part of the discussion process at UND, a historical and contextual summary has been prepared by an assistant to the president. That summary can be found at: The university has invited comments from readers interested in the UND debate. The report on the web site is edited from time to time to reflect any of those corrections and additions. For the convenience of the U of I Board of Trustees, a copy of the UND's current updated report is being submitted with this report as Trustees' Appendix @ No. 8.

San Diego State University

"Aztecs" and "Monty Montezuma"

San Diego State University (SDSU) finds itself similarly involved in a designation controversy as exists on the Urbana campus and at UND. The sports teams have used the name Aztecs for 75 years. The cheerleading mascot, Monty Montezuma, is named for Montezuma II, the ruler of the Aztec empire in the 16^th century.

At a September 27, 2000 meeting of the school's Associated Students Council, a resolution to retire the Aztec name, logo and the mascot passed by a vote of 22 - 8 - 1. Additionally, the resolution called for more course offerings about languages and cultures of indigenous peoples of America, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the Philippines. Further, the resolution calls for the Associated Students Council to form an ad hoc committee to create a new name and mascot and report to the president of the University by the Spring of 2001.

The resolution now will go to the University Senate for its consideration. However, final determination will be made by University President Stephen Weber. He has indicated that he will consider the opinions of the 30,000 students, 180,000 alumni and the San Diego residents at large. In the meantime, the name and the mascot will remain.

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