“COMMIT TO THE INDIAN”
Posted on February 2, 2008 - Filed Under Indian Mascots |
Denis Savard, coach of the National Hockey League Chicago Blackhawks, created quite a stir at a recent post-game press conference, when he urged his team to “Commit to the Indian.” Chicago Blackhawk fans have taken to the quote and some are suggesting adopting it as the “unofficial” team motto. The Chicago Blackhawk team has not officially endorsed the slogan, but apparently, you can already purchase “Commit to the Indian” tee-shirts on the internet.
The fan frenzy created by the slogan prompted Chicago Sun Times columnist Carol Slezak to write “Commit to tastefulness” where she reported that the newly coined motto did not go over well in some parts of the Chicago Native American community. Slezak interviewed the Executive director of the Chicago American Indian Center who stated “For a fan base to use that statement as its motto is terrible …. What are they teaching the kids? These old symbols perpetuate the belief that American Indians are a thing of the past and that natives don’t exist…. It is very insulting…. Comments like that make no sense. They speak to racism and a lack of awareness of what symbols mean. It’s a lack of cultural understanding for him to make that kind of statement…. We’re not happy about the logo, either,…It’s on our list to be removed…. I can’t speak for what their logo means to them, but as a representation of our people, it feeds into other stereotypical things. These kind of symbols went out with every other race and culture a long time ago.” The Director suggested that if fans and the Blackhawks team wanted to “commit to the Indian” they could learn more about Tribes and tribal members, and assist the Indian Center provide meals, scholarships and funds for renovation of the Indian Center
To this suggestion, fans responded with the following comments on the Sun Times message board:
“Are we going overboard with political correctness? I think so….”
“…why are Native Americans wasting all of their time and energy trying to eliminate symbols that invoke unparalleled pride, joy, and camaraderie such as the Hawk’s Indian head or Chief Illiniwek?”
“We need more things in this world that invoke such good feelings in people, not fewer. It’s been a long, long time since the Hawks inspired me as they did w/Savard’s comment, and clearly I’m not alone. Why would a person want to make this stop?”
“And why would the Hawks bow to a small negative faction instead of running with the pride of their fans?”
“I don’t understand the big deal about any of the Indian based nicknames…. As a society we have to stop giving in to political correctness so much. Especially over things that are not offensive.”
“Any reference to the Indian is only symbolic and is intended to instill pride that is Blackhawk hockey.”
People need to … quit being so OFFENDED! … the Blackhawk’s Indian is a symbol of strength and pride.”
“When will this nonsense ever end???”
“I’ll buy a shirt with the slogan on it well before I’d give these whiners anything.”
“The so called Native Americans have many casinos that make plenty of money, tax free, to contribute.”
“… if the Blackhawks truly cared about what was important to the Native American people and wanted to find a symbol which stands for what the Native American culture today and also pay homage to their traditions, just the way they themselves have done, they should change their logo to a tastefully designed CASINO CHIP!”
“To refer to this man as “the Indian” is to honor his American Indian heritage.”
“I’m sick of all this whining, hand wringing, PC crap.”
“I am so tired of hearing all the politically correct B.S. that the minority in this country whine about. LIGHTEN UP PEOPLE, give it a rest.”
“There’s no bad intent… yet people are offended anyway?… those are the people we can do without … and I’m not kidding even a little bit right this second.”
To this HONOR INDIANS INSTITUTE says, WE AGREE with the slogan: COMMIT TO THE INDIAN!!! With the following addendums:
COMMIT TO THE INDIAN, by:
1. Demanding that Congress pass the INDIAN HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT! Joe Garcia, President of the National Congress of American Indians called on Congress to pass the long-overdue Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Garcia said the bill has been delayed for more than a decade. “Indian health care services have not been updated in 16 years … Almost two decades of health modernization has left Indian Country behind,” he added.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the vice chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, has been one of the main proponents of the bill. However, she said she was “frustrated” by the delays that have prevented reauthorization of the IHCIA. Senator Murkowski said “We will keep pushing in the Senate,” as she questioned why more of her colleagues haven’t made the bill a priority.
Come on Congress, “COMMIT TO THE INDIAN” Health Care Improvement Act!
2. Demand that the
There can be no full remedy for the U.S. Government’s deplorable accounting or the years of dodging legal responsibility. Judge Robertson has stated that an accurate accounting of the billions that Indians are owed is impossible. However, a fair and just compromise can be reached, as he stated this “does not mean that a just resolution is hopeless.”
The U.S. Government needs to “COMMIT TO THE INDIAN” trust account holders and pay the billions that are owed to them!
I really like the alternative black hawk symbol. I question whether or not enough support could be generated to change a very storied logo.
To tell the truth I didnt see what the big deal was about the indian mascots either… The class that I am currently enrolled in helps me understand what the meanings are behind the mascots and how they truely discriminate against them… The fact is that if it were any other race it would be a very big deal and everyone would be envolved with changing the mascot to something that is less of a discrimintory mascot in this case… So political correctness is the wrong way to go about what the Native Americans are trying to do because if it were any other race it wouldnt be an issue of political correctness it would be the issue of racism…
I am from Professor Warrens class and really enjoyed you coming and talking to our class. I think this website and the ideas you have are a really good idea. After learning about this on this website and also in class its really making sense to me why it is a big deal. I think its neat that you feel so strongly about who you are and your backgrounds and are actually making a statement and doing something about it.
Cool post!, guy