Native American Heritage Month concludes with panel discussion

A public forum titled “Native American Mascots in Sports” was held Wednesday in the Hatch Ballroom of the Student Union Building as the final event of Native American Heritage Month.

The Boise State University Cultural Center celebrated Native American Heritage Month during November with a series of workshops, forums and other events.

The event featured a panel discussion in which Native Americans from four different tribes discussed the tradition of using Native American mascots for U.S. sports teams. Perspectives ranged from opposition of native mascots to respectful acceptance. Suzanne McCorkle, professor of Communication at BSU, moderated the discussion.

Before the discussion began, a short documentary was shown to members of the audience by Jay Rosenstein titled “In Whose Honor?” The documentary takes a critical look at the long-running practice of “honoring” American Indians as mascot and nicknames in sports. The film also looks at the issues of racism, stereotypes, minority representation and the powerful effects mass media will go to defend and justify the mascot.

Panelists included Duke Staggs, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians; Jillian Putra, a BSU freshman studying biology and member of Shoshone, Paiute, Chippewa, and Cree; Rodney Curley, Navajo nation, who is also the Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Committee chair; Erica Watts, a BSU freshman studying social work; Jessica Wingett, BSU senior studying secondary education in Communication; Julie Klebenow, BSU freshman studying criminal justice; Amy Ortmann, a health science major and Ian Smart; BSU junior and Communication major.

McCorkle asked four questions of the panelists regarding the issues of having Native American mascots in sports and each panelist was given the opportunity to reply.

One of the questions posed to the panelists included, “Why do you think Native American Tribes find it offensive when sports teams use them as mascots?”

Staggs said people are taking the Native American mascot and putting it on the same level as an animal because there are more animal mascots than Native American mascots.

Curley also said that the problem arises when it is used for entertainment value.

Wingett responded by saying a lack of education is a contributor to the problem. Ortmann concluded that the group being looked at should work together and educate others so both parties can work together.

Ryan Mortensen /News Writer

Related Posts:

1. Interfaith Discussion Panel provides insight
2. Interfaith panel to discuss religion, meaning of life
3. Lawyer, author promotes Native American culture change
4. A “different views discussion panel” was held at Boise State Thursday, April 23 featuring religious and non-religious students from campus.
5. Native American Studies: