Resolution of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs

TITLE: A Resolution in Support of The Elimination of the Use of American Indian
Descriptions of Mascots, Logos and Sports Team Nicknames for Maryland Public Schools
and Institutions of Higher Education

Whereas, the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs is an agency of the State of
Maryland in the Department of Housing and Community Development created by the
Maryland General Assembly.

Whereas, the general purpose of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs is to
advocate for the needs and concerns of Maryland American Indian population; to provide
aid and protection; to prevent undue hardships; and to assist Indian communities in social
and economic development, and

Whereas, the use of American Indian descriptions which name mascots, logos, and sports
team nicknames are considered offensive, disrespectful, demeaning and make a mockery
of Indian people, their culture, their heritage and their traditions, and

Whereas, the use of American Indian descriptions which name mascots, logos, and sports
team nicknames contribute to poor race relations because they are viewed as racist,
oppressive, and are harmful to harmonious relationships between American Indians and
non-Indian citizens, and

Whereas, the use of American Indian descriptions which name mascots, logos, and sports
team nicknames contribute to negative learning environment in our public schools and
Institutions of Higher Education, and perpetuates a continuum of negative stereotypes
about American Indians, their culture, their heritage and their traditions, and

Whereas, the self-image of American Indian students are negatively impacted by the use
of American Indian mascots and creates low self-esteem which is detrimental to the
academic achievement of American Indian students, and

Whereas, the membership of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs has expressed
concern about the use of American Indian descriptions which name mascots, logos, and
sports team nicknames in Maryland Public Schools, Maryland Institutions of Higher
Education, and agencies of state and local governments, their consultants and contractors,
and

Now, therefore be it resolved, that the membership of the Maryland Commission on Indian
Affairs considers the use of American Indian descriptions which name mascots, logos, and
sports team nicknames as offensive and disrespectful to American Indians, their culture,
their heritage, and their traditions, and

Be it further resolved, that the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs, by this
Resolution, requests and urges the Governor of Maryland to issue and Executive Order
directing all state government agencies and urging county agencies, all County Board or
Commissions, and all Boards of Education of each county, to discontinue the use, and
remove all references to, American Indian descriptions which name mascots, logos, and
sports team nicknames from their policies, publications, instructional materials, and
communications by June 30, 2002.

Certification

The Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs adopted this resolution by unanimous vote of
the membership during the February 5, 2001, Commission meeting.

Bobby Little Bear, Chairperson

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