The INTER-TRIBAL COUNCIL
of the FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES
Organized February 3, 1950

Resolution No. 2001 - 08

THE FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES INTERTRIBAL COUNCIL MASCOT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Intertribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes is an organization that united
the tribal governments of the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Cherokee,
Muscogee (Creek), and Seminole Nations, representing over 400,000 Indian
people throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Intertribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes Education Committee is
dedicated to promoting quality education for American Indian students that
includes cultural awareness and a sense of diversity among America's student
population; and

WHEREAS, the Five Civilized Tribes believe the use of derogatory American Indian images
such as mascots by public schools perpetuate a stereotypical image of American
Indians that is likely to have a negative impact on the self-esteem of American
Indian children; and

WHEREAS, negative images and stereotypes about American Indians as mascots contributes
to a hostile learning environment that affirms the negative images and stereotypes
that persist in America about American Indians; and

WHEREAS, American Indians as mascots is a negative means of appropriating and denigrating
our cultural identity that involves the display and depiction of ceremonial symbols
and practices that may have religious significance to American Indians; and

WHEREAS, to continue the negative use of American Indian's tribal names and images is an
offensive and disgusting practice that would be considered intolerable were other
ethnic groups or minorities depicted in a similar manner; and

WHEREAS, on April 13, 2001, the United States Commission on Civil Rights issued a Statement
on the Use of Native American Images and Nicknames as Sports Symbols that
called for an end to the use of American Indian images and team names by
non-Indian schools; that stereotyping of any racial, ethnic, religious or other groups
when promoted by public education institutions, teach all students that stereotyping of
minority groups is acceptable, a dangerous lesson in a diverse society; that schools
have a responsibility to educate their students; they should not use influence to
perpetuate misrepresentations of any culture or people; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Intertribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes
joins the United States Commission on Civil Rights call to eliminate the stereotypical
use of American Indian names and images as mascots in sports and other events and
to provide meaningful education about real American Indian people, current
American Indian issues, and, the rich variety of American Indian cultures in the U.S.

(Signed) (Signed) (Signed) (Signed) (Signed)
Bill Anoatubby R. Perry Beaver Chadwick Smith Jerry Haney Gregory E. Pyle
Governor Principal Chief Principal Chief Principal Chief Chief
Chickasaw Nation Creek Nation Cherokee Nation Seminole Nation Choctaw Nation

July 14, 2001

P.O. Box 948. Tahlequah, OK 74465 (918) 456-0671 Fax (918) 924-1150

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