During the early fall of 2012, the Washington State Board of Education passed a resolution asking all school districts in the state to eliminate the use of Native American mascots (Ellin, 2012). Many researchers have discussed racist images in sport and have called for the banning of Native American names and images for all sports teams (Moreley Johnson, 2011; Pewewardy, 2004: Black, 2002). It is believed that the mascotization of peoples objectifies and alienates them.
Sports organizations have had various reactions to governmental, media, and indigenous peoples’ requests to change names, logos, and imagery. The Washington Redskins ownership has stated that they will never change the logo because it is not only a name, but a unique protected identity (Zirin, 2010). On the other side of the debate are scholars who make arguments against the perverse nature of mocking peoples that Americans have tried to exterminate. The use of indigenous mascots and team names in sports is compared to Germans historically using Jewish caricatures in a similar way (Morley Johnson, 2011). “No other race of people is used as mascots or tokens of luck for sports” (p. 108).
Much discussion in the media has been focused on imagery opressing indigenous peoples or honoring indigenous peoples. This study was undertaken in order to better understand the relationships between certain tribes and the athletic teams they are associated with, and to better understand the ideas presented in honoring through identification of indigenous peoples with sports teams.
Method:
A qualitative methodology has been used to collect data through interviews, published writing, and team logos in order to explore the idea of "honor" as it relates to the use of indigenous group imagery and traditions in minor league baseball. Using Moustakas' research methodology , data was initially collected in Spring 2014.
Analysis/Results:
Triangulation of data has developed examples of honoring logo use, relationships between sport entities and tribes, and developing themes for discussion. Preliminary themes include history, relationships, and long term vision for the dual-win relationship by both parties.
Conclusions:
Through early analysis, it appears the development of an honor-based relationship between indigeonous groups and sport clubs is rare. However, there are cases where teams and tribes have come together to develop educational, marketing, and operations relationships in order to promote the sport and the tribe.