The Impact of Indigenous Mascots in Professional Sports

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Written for CMNS 3160: Media, Entertainment, and Pop Culture, taught by professor Heather MacLeod

April 2nd, 2023

Indigenous mascots have been a longstanding tradition in professional sports. Teams often use Indigenous names, symbols, and imagery to represent their team, despite the negative impact it has on Indigenous communities. The use of Indigenous mascots in professional sports perpetuates harmful stereotypes and contributes to cultural appropriation. In this essay, I will explore the negative impact of Indigenous mascots in professional sports, using direct quotations from several articles. I will use an article as an example of the benefits that sports have for Indigenous communities and how mascots negatively impact these communities.

The use of Indigenous mascots in professional sports is problematic and perpetuates negative stereotypes. In the book “Changing the Mascot: The Story of the Washington Redskins,” the authors state that “the use of American Indian mascots, symbols, and images in school and professional sports reinforces stereotypes and contributes to a climate of racial insensitivity” (Wachs and Cahn, 2015, p. 2). These stereotypes are harmful because they misrepresent Indigenous people and their culture, and contribute to the marginalization of Indigenous communities. As stated by Erik Brady in the article ‘Indian Mascots: More Than Just a Name’, “mascots are a form of cultural appropriation and send a message that it is acceptable to use the culture of others for our own purposes” (Brady, 2015, para. 8). Cultural appropriation is harmful because it takes elements from one culture and uses them out of context, often for commercial gain. Indigenous mascots in professional sports are no exception to this phenomenon, as it is often used to sell merchandise and increase fan engagement.

The use of Indigenous mascots in professional sports also hurts Indigenous youth. In the article “What’s in a Mascot? The Negative Impact of Native American Mascots,” Stephanie A. Fryberg and Arianne E. Eason argue that “the prevalence of Native American mascots in sports perpetuates stereotypes about Native Americans, negatively impacts the self-esteem of Native youth, and inhibits the academic achievement of Native youth” (Fryberg and Eason, 2017, p. 209). This perpetuation of stereotypes is especially harmful to Indigenous youth because it teaches them that their culture is not valued or respected by society. It also contributes to feelings of alienation and exclusion from mainstream society, which can negatively impact their mental health and well-being.
Furthermore, the use of Indigenous mascots in professional sports ignores the historical and cultural context of Indigenous people. As stated by Suzanne Ress in the article “The Harmful Indian Mascot: A Look at the Social and Psychological Effects on American Indian Populations,” “the use of Indian mascots represents a failure to acknowledge the long and complex history of Indian people in America” (Ress, 2009, p. 343). The use of Indigenous mascots erases the historical trauma that Indigenous people have experienced, such as forced removal from their land, boarding schools, and assimilation policies. It also ignores the fact that Indigenous cultures are living, breathing, and evolving entities that should be respected and not appropriated for commercial gain.

While the negative impact of Indigenous mascots in professional sports is undeniable, it is important to acknowledge the positive impact that sports can have on Indigenous communities. In the article “Sport and Indigenous Communities in Australia,” John Maguire argues that “sport can have a powerful and positive impact on Indigenous communities, fostering social cohesion, promoting health and wellbeing, and providing opportunities for youth development” (Maguire, 2005, p. 44). Sports can be used as a tool to promote positive change in Indigenous communities. Still, the use of Indigenous mascots in professional sports detracts from the positive impact that sports can have. As Maguire states, “the appropriation of Indigenous culture by non-Indigenous people and organizations, such as professional sports teams, can undermine the positive impact of sports in Indigenous communities” (Maguire, 2005, p. 44).

In conclusion, the use of Indigenous mascots in professional sports perpetuates harmful stereotypes, contributes to cultural appropriation, and negatively impacts Indigenous youth. The historical and cultural context of Indigenous people is often ignored, and the use of Indigenous mascots erases the trauma that Indigenous people have experienced. While sports can have a positive impact on Indigenous communities, the use of Indigenous mascots in professional sports detracts from this impact. It is time for professional sports teams to retire their Indigenous mascots and symbols, and to recognize the harm that they have caused Indigenous communities. As stated by the National Congress of American Indians, “Native people are not mascots or logos; they are human beings with identities, histories, and cultures that are often reduced to caricatures and stereotypes” (National Congress of American Indians, n.d.). It is time to respect and honour Indigenous cultures, rather than appropriating them for commercial gain.