By Katie Galloway
Murphy News Service
In preparation for the Nov. 2 NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Washington Redskins, the University of Minnesota is working to create awareness about the consequences of stereotypes relating to Native American mascots used by sports teams.
The controversy around Washington’s name and mascot has been hot news this football season and well before. Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder has made it clear that he has no intention of changing the name.
The University of Minnesota community has mixed feelings about Washington’s mascot. While some people say they are offended and think that the community needs to show opposition, others have said they do not have a problem with the team name.
“This is an opportunity for the University of Minnesota to fulfill its role and responsibility to provide space for educational dialogue that creates understanding around issues such as these facing American Indians and others,” Katrice Albert, vice president for the university’s Office for Equity and Diversity, said in a recent email to the university community.
Beginning Oct. 24, various events will be available for students, faculty, staff, and other members of the university community to attend to create a campus-wide discussion about the issue. Events will continue throughout November to honor Native American Heritage month.
Scheduled university programming will include:
- An opening reception on Friday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m.
- A screening of the documentary, “In Whose Honor? American Indian Mascots in Sports,” on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.
- A program hosted by the American Indian Studies Department called “Sovereignty Matters,” on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
- A perspectives panel hosted by Charlene Teters, a professor at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, N.M., on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.
U sophomore Pi’ikea Finnegan says the programming is a step in the right direction.
“I just don’t think it’s right to use a human being as a mascot the way you would use an eagle or a panther … I’m happy to hear that the university is doing something to move us in the right direction,” Finnegan said.
Reporter Katie Galloway is studying journalism at the University of Minnesota.