Native American mascot controversy
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Since the 1960s, the issue of Native American and First Nations names and images being used by sports teams as mascots has been the subject of increasing public controversy in the United States and Canada. This has been a period of rising Indigenous civil rights movements, and Native Americans and their supporters object to the use of images and names in a manner and context they consider derogatory. They have conducted numerous protests and tried to educate the public on this issue.
The Atlanta Braves encouraged fans to gesture with the tomahawk chop, distributing foam tomahawks at games and other events.
1930 football ticket stub depicting the former Stanford Indian mascot
Blackhawks jersey worn by Brandon Saad (2014)
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Washington Football Team in 2021. Washington eliminated all Native American imagery from its temporary franchise name while Kansas City continues to use the "Chiefs" branding.
Mascot
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A mascot is any human, animal, or object thought to bring luck, or anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, sports team, society, military unit, or brand name. Mascots are also used as fictional, representative spokespeople for consumer products.
Benny the Bull, the mascot of the Chicago Bulls
The San Diego Chicken, portrayed by Ted Giannoulas, was a staple in the San Diego area during the 1970s and 80s. On the right is United States President Ronald Reagan at a campaign stop in San Diego during the 1988 election.
University of Miami mascot Sebastian the Ibis makes the University of Miami's signature "The U" hand gesture, December 2007.
Boomer Beaver (photographed in 2007) was the mascot for the Portland Beavers, a now-defunct Minor League Baseball team.