Published on May 19, 2016
NCAI Response to New Poll on R*skins Team Name
"It is true some Native people do not find the word offensive. However, thousands of Native people across the country have voiced their opposition to the name and the historic, disparaging connotations it carries to this day. More than 100 Native American organizations representing tribal nations and peoples across the United States have spoken out in opposition to the use of the R*skins mascot of the Washington D.C. NFL team. The tribal nations comprising the National Congress of the American Indians have repeatedly passed resolutions against the R*skins name and image, as well as many individual tribal governments and organizations.
The Washington Post surveyed a small sample of Native American adults, anyone can create a poll on any issue. The survey doesn't recognize the psychological impacts these racist names and imagery have on American Indian and Alaska Natives. It is not respectful to who we are as Native people. This poll still doesn't make it right." - Jacqueline Pata, NCAI Executive Director