The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Stereotypes & Racism Against Native Americans

Sports Mascots

The offensive use of mascots by schools and professional sports teams reflects outdated stereotypes and perpetuates racism against Native Americans. In recent years, many high schools, colleges, and universities have retired their Native American sports team nicknames, mascots, and logos.

• U.S. Civil Rights Commission, New York Department of Education Call for End to Native American Mascots - 5/1/01
• FAQs about the institutionalized use of "Indian" sports team tokens - AISTM
• Stereotyping of Native Americans - Department of Teaching and Learning Technologies at the University of Nevada, Reno
• The Deculturalization of Indigenous Mascots in U.S. Sports Culture - The Educational Forum - Summer 1999

Racism & Hate Crimes

Native Americans are disproportionately the victims of bias-related crimes.

• FBI: Indians Still Most Assaulted in Hate Crimes - Native American Netroots - 11/23/08
• Indian Blood: Hate Crimes Against American Indians - Southern Poverty Law Center - Winter 2006
• NCAI Calls for Apology Over Racist Cartoon - 4/22/03
• One In 10 Hate Crimes Target American Indians - Indianz.Com - 10/1/01