The "Mascot Issue" and the Catawba Indian Nation

     For over a century, educational institutions in the United Sates have used Indian names, images, songs, and religious ceremonies at sporting events. For many, both Native and otherwise, this is seen as a continuation of racist practices and cultural genocide, carried out in the guise of school spirit. Others, like the Catawba, feel that as long as their name and images are used in a respectful manner, the relationship between the Nation and the educational institution can be a mutually beneficial and symbiotic one.

     Students and Teachers Against Racism (STAR), explain on their website why ‘The American Indian Mascot Issue’ is problematic for so many people. They point out that there is no other race whose image is used in the same way: “Interchange the name of any race with the Indians and it immediately becomes clear that we cannot have teams called The Negroes, The Asians or The Jews.” Additionally, they explain that many of these schools began the practice of usurping Indian Tribal names and the use of Indian religious items and images at a time when the official Indian policy dictated that it was unlawful for Indian peoples to freely practice their own religious ceremonies. Indian students attending a ballgame would be subjected to mocking reenactments of scalpings and be forced to watch cartoonish mascot, dressed as a stereotypical Indian, who used feathers and other sacred items in an irreverent manor.

     In 2005, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) took a stand against those teams who they felt used mascots and Indian names which were “hostile or abusive.” They banned those teams who fit into this category from participating in the 2005 postseason tournaments. Catawba College, located about 70 miles north of the Catawba Rock Hill Reservation, was on the list for their use of “Catawba Indians” for their sports teams and their logo which boasts a capital ‘C’ and three feathers. However, after an appeal to the NCAA and a letter of support from the Catawba Indian Nation leader, Chief Donald Rogers, the college was allowed to retain the Catawba Indian moniker and logo and participate in all NCAA events.

     Then, in 2008, Indian Land High approached Chief Rogers with a proposal to honor the Nation by naming their football field “The Reservation.” The high school made it very clear that if the Catawba did not see this as an honor then they would not proceed with their plans. Rogers explained in a newspaper interview that to him this was not “offensive at all but part of a shared history." He went on to say: “We have some tribal children at this school. And over the years, I always found that I rooted for the team called Indian Land. It was like our team in a way. They called me out of respect for our tribe."

     Ultimately, as the NCAA explained when they gave Catawba College the go ahead to retain their sports teams name, it is a matter of tribal sovereignty. If a tribe or nation is supportive of a school’s use of their name and/or image, even detractors of the practice will most times support that decision based on the political autonomy of the tribe. As Chief Rogers points out, this type of relationship, based on respect for mutual residence and history, can be seen as a positive for all parties involved. It has the potential to garner good will and support for both the Nation and the educational institution. As Chief Rogers said: "This is a new era…I will be honored for opposing teams to come in here and say they are going to have a battle on the 'The Rez' tonight."

References:

Andrew Dys, “Inidan Land High, Catawbas unite behind field’s nickname: Tribe bucks trend to denounce references to American Indians,” Heraldonline.com, Sept. 11, 2008, Local/State section, http://www. heraldonline.com/2008/09/11/808897/indian-land-high-catawbas-unite.html

Catawba Athletics, “NCAA Ruling on Use of ‘Catawba Indians’ for Athletic Teams,” GoCatawbaIndians.com, http://www.gocatawbaindians.com/page.asp?articleID=3355

“Catawba wins appeal on mascot issue,” USAToday.com, May 31, 2006, College Sports, http://www. usatoday.com/sports/college/2006-05-31-catawba_x.htm

“NCAA American Indian mascot ban will begin Feb. 1,” ESPN.com, Aug. 12, 2005, http://sports.espn.go. com/ncaa/news/story?id=2125735

STAR: Students and Teachers Against Racism, “Understanding the American Indian Mascot Issue: A Collection of Writings on Team Names and Logos,” STAR, http://www.racismagainstindians. org/UnderstandingMascots.htm