The battle against the appropriation of tribal culture and image has been going on for decades, not just among chiefs. Native Americans say that using iconography or words with Native connotations insults them and perpetuates racist stereotypes.

“The anti-Native mascot movement has always been about the improvement of our native people, not hatred of other people who are football fans.” I want to live in a world where I have a sense of humor and don’t encounter fake war dance reenactments on the football field.”

Some major sports teams counter that mascots are meant to honor and honor tribes. But 2020’s racial reckoning and protests after the murder of George Floyd have forced some franchises into soul-searching.

The Cleveland Indians baseball team officially changed to the Guardians in November 2021. The team also scrapped Chief his Wahoo, his native American caricature.

A key victory came when Washington removed the name “Redskins,” which was seen as a racial slur, and its nearly 90-year-old logo. The team later became Commander.

Chiefs president Mark Donovan has not suggested there is room for change.

“We also need to continue to educate and raise awareness about Native American culture and what we are doing to celebrate, and that we have done more to raise awareness and help ourselves than any other team in the last seven years. Please educate me,” said Donovan.

The Super Bowl takes place in states that are home to 22 Native American tribes that collectively oversee about a quarter of the land base. The NFL has emphasized collaboration with Arizona-based Natives and Indigenous peoples.

The Chiefs recently highlighted long snapper James Winchester, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, Oklahoma, and center Creed Humphrey, a citizen of the Potawatomi Nation, Oklahoma.

Born in Glendale and descended from Apache and Yaqui, Lucinda Hinojos became the first native and Chicana artist to partner with the NFL. Her paintings are featured on every Super Bowl ticket and throughout her NFL Experience.

Colin Denny, a researcher at the University of Arizona and a member of the Navajo Tribe, performs “America the Beautiful” in the game’s preshow. Denny, who is deaf, uses both American Sign Language and North American Indian Sign Language.

The Chiefs have been trying to address concerns about cultural insensitivity for a decade, but have fallen short of changing their team name and fan-favorite gestures and chants. In 2013, the team launched the American Indian Community Working Group. This working group includes Native Americans as advisors to teams that promote Indigenous cultures.

“I went up to them and said, ‘What do you think about this? How does this feel?'” Donovan said.

This led to the invitation of Cheyenne’s spiritual and ceremonial leaders to participate in several games. In 2020, the Chiefs banned fans from wearing headdresses, military paint, and clothing at Arrowhead Stadium.

The team also modified the “Tomahawk Chop” with the cheerleaders using closed fists instead of open palms.

The Kansas City team started out as the Dallas Texans. When the franchise moved to Kansas City in 1963, it became the Chiefs.

Mayor H. Roe Bartle had a permit from Northern Arapahoe at the time, and the team recently documented tribal officials confirming it, Donovan said.

“We haven’t released it yet. We’re waiting for the right time to get the story right,” Donovan said.

Rewald, a former North Arapaho leader and friend, called the claims “fake.”

She said native organizers wouldn’t give up trying to keep offensive mascots, names and images out of major sports.

“We have young people coming with us,” said LeValdo of Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico. . It never stops.