American Indian Mascot Sensitivity at the University of Utah
The Sports Law Blog has tackled the issue of American Indian mascots many timesover thepast few years. Last week, Dr. Chris Hill, the Athletics Director at the University of Utah (nicknamed the "Utes" after the local Ute Indian tribe), posted a youtube "chat" where he asked Ute fans to become more "sensitive" to issues that might offend American Indians in Utah and across the country when they attend athletic contests (see below). Specifically, Dr. Hill asks fans to be aware that painting their faces, wearing headdresses, and bringing faux tomahawks to games likely offend sacred and religious traditions of Native Americans around the country. He impliedly asked Ute fans to leave the feathers, headdresses, face paint and tomahawk chops at home.
Dr. Hill alluded to the Ute logo, the feather and drumset, as appropriate, likely based on the approval of the use of the name and logo by the Ute tribal counsel, and the NCAA policy, that while generally forbidding the use of American Indian nicknames and mascots, allows an exception for University use of such nicknames and mascots if the local tribe approves. Because of this exception, Florida State continues as the Seminoles and Utah continues as the Utes, while the University of Illinois and the University of North Dakota are no longer able to use Native American imagery as their logos or mascots.
Rather than ask fans to be more sensitive, why not just ban the use of sacred or traditional tokens and rituals at the stadium? Or better yet, why not select a new mascot? Hundreds of other high schools and colleges have done so with much success.
I watched the video. Thanks for posting. Given the nature of the subject matter, the medium of the outreach (YouTube), and the tone and sincerity of the A.D., I don't see how any reasonable person could not appreciate the effort the A.D. made to demonstrate sensitivity to the issue by asking fans to respect the university and its nickname without resorting to the use of stereotypical imagery. If someone really has an issue with imagery, don't give FSU a free pass. The Seminole tribe is split on the issue, yet a Caucasian Chief Osceola and the white horse Renegade still march to the center of the field in Native American regalia....and a flaming spear!
I agree with you that athletic must have good environement including their safety measures. Raz Silberman says "give your employees purpose -- make them essential to your growth and show your appreciation for their accomplishments. Money buys a lot of things, but it doesn't buy success."
I am a Utah alum (2005) and I honestly can't remember any wide-spread use of Indian garb (as it were) at sporting events. Maybe one or two headdresses, but never any tomahawks or Indian-style face painting. The mascot is an eagle, as well (http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/utah/graphics/spirit-team/swoop-200x268.jpg). I'm not familiar with other teams, but the old stereotype of violent, scalping indians doesn't really exist at Utah, at least from my anecdotal experience
While I admire the spirit of the post, I think it fails to consider the entire perspective of this debate. No matter what the issue is, some section of the population is going to be offended. In this case we have the Ute Tribal Counsel who has approved of the use of the mascot, the administration of the school encouraging respectful representation of the tribe's traditions, and a school that has formed its own traditions around the use of the Ute logo. My point is this: I think people are quick to assume a disrespectful and hurtful representation of tribal groups. It is my opinion and hope that, when done appropriately and with the consent of the governing tribal body, schools like Utah can help shed light on the traditions of native American people while continuing those the school has formed in the past.
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