A team by any other name…
http://blogs.townonline.com/behind/491
Posted on June 1, 2007 by Noah Bombard
Filed Under Lancaster, Noah's posts, Schools, Sports
Pick an animal… any animal. With Nashoba Regional High School being asked to re-examine its use of a Native American name (The Chieftains) for its sports teams, a change could be on the horizon. What would they be called? Well, in the world of sports icons and mascots, it seems animals are the only safe target of our affection.
How much do any mascots cast a positive or negative light on the cultures they are derived from? What does the Celtics’ Lucky the Leprechaun do for short, pudgy Irishmen? Or what does the San Diego Padres’ Swingin Friar do for Catholic clergy? Sure, you don’t see protesters standing outside the stadiums with crucifixes or swinging pints of Guinness (well, OK, you do see that in Boston, but it’s mostly people pretending to be Irish so they can get in on some good beer).
Probably one of the most protested mascots in sports history has been Chief Wahoo, the red-faced warrior of the Clevland Indians. Despite years of protest, however, the icon has remained. The Braves’ mascot Cheif Noc-A-Homa (knock a hommer, get it?) didn’t fare as well. He was replaced 1998 by two mascots that grew out of a desire for the team to be more politically correct.
Should the Nashoba Chieftains change their name? I guess I’ve always been a bit ambivalent over the use of Native American icons. Mascots, are, after all, caricatures, not accurate depictions of the genuine artifact. Still, when they play into really bad stereotypes (you mean not all Native Americans were red-faced warriors looking for their next scalping victim?) they certainly don’t seem to help. But simply using a Native American reference is a far cry from culture bashing. It’s a matter of context and how it is used. Also to be considered are the preferences of Native Americans. Are they bothered by these images? Apparently many are.
Comments
3 Responses to “A team by any other name…”
Jean Rubin on June 1st, 2007 8:27 pm
I think that any Native American should consider it a complament that a school would use a Native American image to represent them. To most students that is an image of pride, spirit, & unity. Most students, ecspecialy athletes are driven by that image, and what it represents. As a past Alumni of Nashoba Regional and a person with a Native American blood line, I would not change a thing! I was proud to be a “Chieftain, as are my kids, who have also graduated from Nashoba.
Shelly on June 3rd, 2007 6:29 pm
As an alumnus of NRHS, I would be deeply saddened to think that they could take away Nashoba’s mascot. Nashoba, in and of itself, is a Native American word meaning a fishing place, possibly a midway. This entire area is steeped in Native American history and culture… reflected ever so proudly in our choice of names for many important towns and icons throughout New England. A chieftain is a leader and a role model… is that not what we want our young adults to aspire to be? to be proud to be?
Peter Richards on June 7th, 2007 9:48 pm
Having entered Nashoba Regional HS in the fall of 1962 as a member of the class of ‘66, and returning in the fall of 1971 as a member of the esteemed faculty for the next 35 years, I feel gives me the unique perspective of being a “Chieftain” for over 40 years. The school has only been in existence since 1961.
As a student athlete, and then as a Teacher, Coach and Athletic Director, the Nashoba “Chieftain” has ALWAYS been held in the highest regard and has never been used in a derogatory or insensitive fashion.
The “Chieftain” has been a symbol of pride, honor and strength for it’s athletic program as well as the student population in general. Nashoba has always prided itself as being able to “Play with class and poise” which means that in order to compete, each person must respect thier opponents as much as they respect thier school, community and classmates.
Several times during my professional career at Nashoba, I received calls from the ACLU out of New York asking about the “Chieftain” as a mascot and the fact that we were depicted as using the symbol in a disrespectful manner. When it was explained to the caller that only an Indian in full headdress from a side view was used, and that the school and the student body showed tremendous respect for the cultural background of the Nashoba Valley, they seemed satisfied with what was being done.
There was a time, years ago, when the Band Major wore an Indian outfit with headdress at games and school gatherings but that was prior to the initial inquiries into the use of Indians as mascots. Once that question arose, the outfit and headdress were dropped as part of the school culture.
The Nashoba “Chieftain” is a cultural icon for the Regional HS. The opposing schools, students and alumni hold our mascot in high regard. It would truly be a sad consequence for Nashoba to be forced to drop the “Chieftain” as a symbol of leadership, pride and honor.
Peter Richards, Alumnus, Athletic Director / Retired.