Racism inRacism inSports Team ImagesSports Team Images

A Indigenous Perspective A Indigenous Perspective on Trademarkson Trademarks

What do you think of when What do you think of when you hear Indian or you hear Indian or Aboriginal?Aboriginal?

Some History and FactsSome History and Facts DefinitionsDefinitions

IndianIndian – was used by government, outdated – was used by government, outdated Aboriginal/NativeAboriginal/Native – general umbrella term – general umbrella term First NationsFirst Nations – 50+ different First Nations in – 50+ different First Nations in

Canada Canada IndigenousIndigenous – original people of the land – original people of the land MetisMetis – mixed indigenous/European ancestry – mixed indigenous/European ancestry InuitInuit – indigenous people of Arctic – indigenous people of Arctic In US they use the term American Indian or Native In US they use the term American Indian or Native

American American

Facts and FiguresFacts and Figures Indigenous peoples in North America Indigenous peoples in North America

have lived here for > 10,000 yearshave lived here for > 10,000 years Decimation through disease, conflict, Decimation through disease, conflict,

uprootinguprooting Current Canadian population approx. 1 Current Canadian population approx. 1

million (3% of population), fastest million (3% of population), fastest growing demographicgrowing demographic

Thriving and struggling communities, Thriving and struggling communities, resilienceresilience

What is a trademark?What is a trademark? Word, phrase, jingle, or symbol that Word, phrase, jingle, or symbol that

identifies a particular identifies a particular enterprise/productenterprise/product

Sports teams names do not have Sports teams names do not have indefinite useful life – they may indefinite useful life – they may change trademarkchange trademark

Native American MascotsNative American Mascots http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=salgNyX3roI&feature=relatedv=salgNyX3roI&feature=related

Opposing use of mascotsOpposing use of mascots Perpetuate ignorance/negative Perpetuate ignorance/negative

stereotypesstereotypes Demean traditions, ceremoniesDemean traditions, ceremonies Double standards – no team names Double standards – no team names

for African-Americans, Caucasians or for African-Americans, Caucasians or Latin AmericansLatin Americans

Most often used in schools – Most often used in schools – message to youth?message to youth?

Offensive dance – U.S. College Offensive dance – U.S. College basketballbasketball

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhKxKPUbs_E&feature=relatedv=jhKxKPUbs_E&feature=related

Supporting the use of mascotsSupporting the use of mascots

Say they honor the people (fradulent Say they honor the people (fradulent claim by Washington and Cleveland)claim by Washington and Cleveland)

Say it promotes indigenous cultureSay it promotes indigenous culture Arguments often made by non-Arguments often made by non-

indigenous peopleindigenous people Change will alienate alumni, Change will alienate alumni,

decrease donations, anger fansdecrease donations, anger fans

Cleveland “Indians”Cleveland “Indians” Chief Wahoo is mascotChief Wahoo is mascot Controversial throughout historyControversial throughout history Said the name was to honour a Said the name was to honour a

Native American athlete – he asks Native American athlete – he asks them to change it thoughthem to change it though

Protest in 1998, protesters arrested Protest in 1998, protesters arrested and launch a lawsuitand launch a lawsuit

Financial implications?Financial implications?

CLEVELAND INDIANS BASEBALL COMPANY, INC.CLEVELAND INDIANS BASEBALL COMPANY, INC.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED AND IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED AND IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, 1999 19981999 1998

CURRENT ASSETS: CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents $24,411 $39,283 Marketable securities $24,411 $39,283 Marketable securities

50,308 13,287 Investments 97 50,308 13,287 Investments 97 3,783 Receivables and accrued income 6,614 9,421 3,783 Receivables and accrued income 6,614 9,421 Merchandise Merchandise inventories 2,109 1,207inventories 2,109 1,207 Prepaid expenses and other current Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,336 2,969 Deferred taxes 1,253 assets 4,336 2,969 Deferred taxes 1,253 -- Deposit for grievance settlement 9,699 9,589 -- Deposit for grievance settlement 9,699 9,589 --------- --------- --------- ---------

Total current assets 98,827 79,539 Total current assets 98,827 79,539 --------- ------------------ ---------

FIXED ASSETS: FIXED ASSETS: Leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures Leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures and other equipment, at cost 9,697 8,969 Less accumulated and other equipment, at cost 9,697 8,969 Less accumulated

depreciation and amortization 3,678 3,387depreciation and amortization 3,678 3,387 --------- --------- Total fixed --------- --------- Total fixed

assets, net 6,019 5,582assets, net 6,019 5,582PREPAID SIGNING BONUSES AND PLAYER CONTRACTS PREPAID SIGNING BONUSES AND PLAYER CONTRACTS (Net of accumulated amortization) (Net of accumulated amortization) 11,417 10,590 11,417 10,590INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Net of accumulated amortization) 10,184 10,383INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Net of accumulated amortization) 10,184 10,383DEFERRED TAXES 3,960 3,960DEFERRED TAXES 3,960 3,960OTHER ASSETS 14,702 11,969 OTHER ASSETS 14,702 11,969

--------- ---------TOTAL --------- ---------TOTAL $ 145,109 $ 122,023 $ 145,109 $ 122,023 ========= ========= ========= =========

Financial Implications Financial Implications for name changefor name change

financial cost of changing logo, merchandise financial cost of changing logo, merchandise becomes uselessbecomes useless

major sports teams HAVE changed their mascots major sports teams HAVE changed their mascots for non-controversial and financial reasonsfor non-controversial and financial reasons

Washington Bullets changed their mascot to the Washington Bullets changed their mascot to the "Wizards" over concerns with violent connotations"Wizards" over concerns with violent connotations

Tennessee Oilers, changed mascot to "Titans" a Tennessee Oilers, changed mascot to "Titans" a full two years after the team's move from full two years after the team's move from Houston.Houston.

Some SuccessSome Success Indigenous activists work full-time on this Indigenous activists work full-time on this

issueissue Hank Aaron, former baseball superstar lends Hank Aaron, former baseball superstar lends

supportsupport Cleveland Mayor proposes removing Indians Cleveland Mayor proposes removing Indians

logo from all city propertylogo from all city property Seattle University changes “Chieftains” to Seattle University changes “Chieftains” to

“Redhawks”“Redhawks” California bans “redskins” from license platesCalifornia bans “redskins” from license plates Atlanta Braves changes Atlanta Braves changes

mascotmascot

More successMore success College teams that aren’t College teams that aren’t

controversial refusing to play with controversial refusing to play with teams that have racist names/logos teams that have racist names/logos (Univ. of Wisconsin, Univ. of Iowa)(Univ. of Wisconsin, Univ. of Iowa)

Newspapers refuse to print offensive Newspapers refuse to print offensive team names (referred to as team names (referred to as “Washington team”)“Washington team”)

But….But…. issue still remains contested today issue still remains contested today According to American Indian Cultural According to American Indian Cultural

Support, 2,498 U.S. schools use racist Support, 2,498 U.S. schools use racist mascots (2006)mascots (2006)

No major changes to professional team No major changes to professional team names/logosnames/logos

In Canada Edmonton Eskimos, Brooklin In Canada Edmonton Eskimos, Brooklin Redmen in Ontario, others? Redmen in Ontario, others? (ironic that Brooklin, a lacrosse (ironic that Brooklin, a lacrosse team would use such a logo since lacrosse is an indigenous game)team would use such a logo since lacrosse is an indigenous game)

Danforth Tech in TDSB had to change their Danforth Tech in TDSB had to change their Redmen nameRedmen name

No more chiefs and Pocohontas!

Instead of this…..

Why not this?ISU#2 – create a new logo and write a letter/email to the offending

team!