Latest news with #NativeAmerican-inspired
New York Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump calls on NFL's Washington Commanders owner to bring back Redskins name: ‘GET IT DONE'
President Trump on Sunday publicly demanded that the Washington Commanders to change the team name back to the Redskins— labeling them derisively the 'Washington Whatever's.' He also said the Cleveland Guardians should revert to being the Indians. 3 President Trump is urging the owner of the NFL's Washington Commanders to return to their original name. AP Advertisement 3 The team officially changed their name to the Commanders in 2022. Getty Images Both teams had rebranded several years ago due to concerns that their Native American-inspired names were offensive, but Trump argued that the pendulum has since swung back against political correctness. 'The Washington 'Whatever's' should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team. There is a big clamoring for this,' Trump declared, unprompted on Truth Social Sunday. Advertisement 'Likewise, the Cleveland Indians, one of the six original baseball teams, with a storied past,' the president went on. 'Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen. Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago.' 'We are a Country of passion and common sense. OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!' 3 A Washington Redskins fan looks on before their game against the Tennessee Titans at FedEx Field on October 19, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. Getty Images Advertisement The Cleveland Guardians had rebranded away from their old name, the Cleveland Indians, in 2020 — after dropping the 'Chief Wahoo' logo years earlier. That same year, after long resisting pressure to do so, the Washington Commanders retired the old name, the Washington Redskins. For two years, they played as the Washington Football Team before eventually deciding to call themselves the Commanders in 2022.
Fox News
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Education Department finds New York agencies ‘violated' Civil Rights Act with ban on Native American mascots
An investigation by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) into two New York state agencies has found that both violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act over a ban on Native American-inspired mascots and logos – an issue thrust into the national spotlight because of one Long Island school district. The Department of Education released a press release of its findings on Friday, just a month after first launching the probe into the New York Department of Education and the New York State Board of Regents. "The Trump Administration will not stand idly by as state leaders attempt to eliminate the history and culture of Native American tribes," U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, who visited Massapequa High School on Friday, said. "Rather than focus on learning outcomes, the New York Department of Education and Board of Regents has set its sights on erasing Massapequa's history – while turning a blind eye to other districts' mascots that are derived from or connected to other racial or ethnic groups. We will stand with the people of Massapequa until commonsense is restored and justice is served, and until New York comes into compliance with federal law." The investigation was brought about when the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) filed a complaint in April after claiming that the state agencies forced Massapequa School District, home of the Chiefs, to retire its mascot. "The Native American Guardians Association stands firm in asserting that the preservation of Native themes and imagery in New York public schools is not only a matter of cultural dignity but a fundamental civil right for all students. We call on federal and state leaders to help us defend these dwindling expressions or our presence and contributions," Vice President of NAGA Frank Blackcloud said in a statement at the time. "Maintaining a respectable presence in NY State schools is vital to educational equity, historical truth, and the civil rights of all American Indians." The Department of Education also found that while Native American-inspired mascots, names and logos were not permitted under the policy, others that "appear to have been derived from other racial or ethnic groups" were, making the policy "discriminatory." The district sued the state in September, claiming its First Amendment rights were violated, but a federal judge ruled against it. Rebranding, including changing the name and logo, would cost roughly $1 million, district officials claimed. President Donald Trump became aware of the issue last month and encouraged the Department of Education to look into the ban, which he called "an affront to our great Indian population." The 2022 mandate requires all public schools to retire Native American mascots and logos or risk the loss of federal funding. Four schools on Long Island have since filed lawsuits. The Department of Education announced Friday as part of its investigation that proposed resolution to the violations includes rescinding the ban on "Indigenous names, mascots, and logos," issuing a memorandum to public schools informing them of the changes, and issuing apology letters to Indigenous tribes acknowledging that the actions of the two agencies "silenced the voices of Native Americans and attempted to erase Native American history." The Department of Education said failure to comply with the resolution plan risks further action by the Department of Justice and the potential loss of federal funding. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
New York Times
26-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Trump Administration Opens Civil Rights Inquiry Into a Long Island Mascot Fight
Federal education officials said on Friday that they had opened a civil rights inquiry into whether New York State could withhold state money from a Long Island school district that has refused to follow a state requirement and drop its Native American mascot. The announcement came shortly after President Trump expressed his support for the district, in Massapequa, N.Y., in its fight against complying with a state Board of Regents requirement that all districts abandon mascots that appropriate Native American culture or risk losing state funding. The Massapequa district, whose 'Chiefs' logo depicts an illustrated side profile of a Native American man in a feathered headdress, is one of several that have resisted making a change. The name of the town, a middle-class swath of the South Shore where most residents voted for Mr. Trump in the November election, was derived from the Native American word 'Marspeag' or 'Mashpeag,' which means 'great water land.' In announcing the investigation, Linda McMahon, the education secretary, said that her department would 'not stand by as the state of New York attempts to rewrite history and deny the town of Massapequa the right to celebrate its heritage in its schools.' JP O'Hare, a spokesman for the state Education Department, said in a statement that state education officials had not been contacted by the federal government about the matter. 'However,' he added, 'the U.S. Department of Education's attempt to interfere with a state law concerning school district mascots is inconsistent with Secretary McMahon's March 20, 2025, statement that she is 'sending education back to the states, where it so rightly belongs.'' The policy, introduced in 2022, was adopted amid a national push to change Native American mascot names or iconography through legislation and other moves. When the ban was adopted, about five dozen New York school districts still used Native American-inspired mascots and logos. Districts were given until the end of June this year to eliminate banned mascots. Since taking office for his second term, Mr. Trump and his administration have waged a relentless campaign against what they argue are illegal diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and have threatened entities that do not fall in line and eliminate such efforts. The president has said he would slash funding for low-income students in states that fail to do away with such programs. New York's Education Department was the first to publicly refuse to comply with the order. Massapequa school leaders filed a federal lawsuit seeking to keep the 'Chiefs' name, but the judge in the case recently moved closer to dismissing it after finding they had failed to provide sufficient evidence for their claims, including that the mascot qualified as protected speech. In a social media post this week, Mr. Trump criticized New York's policy and called for Ms. McMahon to intervene. 'Forcing them to change the name, after all of these years, is ridiculous and, in actuality, an affront to our great Indian population,' the president wrote. In a statement included in the federal Education Department's announcement, Kerry Watcher, the Massapequa Board of Education president, welcomed the investigation. 'Attempts to erase Native American imagery do not advance learning,' Ms. Watcher said. 'They distract from our core mission of providing a high-quality education grounded in respect, history and community values.'
Fox News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump administration launches probe into New York agency for its ban on Native American sports mascots
The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into the New York Department of Education (NYDOE) Friday over a Long Island high school's mascot. The NYDOE banned Native American-inspired logos and mascots for high school sports teams, which has made Massapequa School District on Long Island a target due to its continued use of the Chiefs mascot name. A 2022 mandate by the NYDOE demands that all public schools retire Native American mascots or risk losing state funding. Four Long Island school districts, including Massapequa, filed a lawsuit challenging the order, but a federal judge dismissed the case. Now, the Trump administration is getting involved. "The U.S. Department of Education will not stand by as the state of New York attempts to rewrite history and deny the town of Massapequa the right to celebrate its heritage in its schools," U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in an announcement Friday. "While New York chooses to prioritize erasing Native Americans, their rich history and their deep connection to the state, it is requiring schools to divert time and resources away from what really matters: educating our students. It is not lost on the Department that there are several mascots that refer to indigenous or ethnic groups — the Vikings, Fighting Irish, the Cowboys — and yet New York has specifically singled out Native American heritage. We will investigate this matter fully." The announcement of the investigation claims the Native American Guardian's Association (NAGA) filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR). The NAGA claims the New York Board of Regents is violating federal civil rights law by forcing the Massapequa School District to eliminate its Chiefs mascot based on its association with Native American culture. "The Native American Guardian's Association stands firm in asserting that the preservation of Native themes and imagery in New York public schools is not only a matter of cultural dignity but a fundamental civil right for all students. We call on federal and state leaders to help us defend these dwindling expressions of our presence and contributions," said Frank Blackcloud, vice president of NAGA. "Maintaining a respectable presence in NY State schools is vital to educational equity, historical truth and the civil rights of all American Indians." The president of the Massapequa Board of Education is quoted in the announcement thanking Trump's administration for getting involved. "We thank the Department of Education and the Trump Administration for standing with Massapequa in our effort to preserve the Chiefs name and honor our community's proud history. We're especially grateful to the Native American Guardian's Association for its support and advocacy," Watcher said. "Attempts to erase Native American imagery do not advance learning. They distract from our core mission of providing a high-quality education grounded in respect, history and community values." Trump previously spoke out in support of the school's right to maintain its name. "I agree with the people in Massapequa, Long Island, who are fighting furiously to keep the Massapequa Chiefs logo on their Teams and School," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Forcing them to change the name, after all of these years, is ridiculous and, in actuality, an affront to our great Indian population. The School Board, and virtually everyone in the area, are demanding the name be kept. It has become the School's identity and, what could be wrong with using the name, 'Chief'? I don't see the Kansas City Chiefs changing their name anytime soon! By copy of this TRUTH, I am asking my highly capable Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to fight for the people of Massapequa on this very important issue. LONG LIVE THE MASSAPEQUA CHIEFS!" Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump backs Long Island school district fighting to keep ‘Chiefs' mascot
NEW YORK - The Massapequa School District on Long Island is now receiving support from President Donald Trump in its ongoing fight to keep its "Chiefs" mascot, despite a New York State Education Department ban on Native American-inspired names and logos. What we know President Trump posted on Truth Social, calling on the U.S. Secretary of Education to "fight for the people of Massapequa," calling the idea of changing the school's mascot "ridiculous." The controversy stems from a 2022 mandate by the New York State Education Department that all public schools retire Native American mascots or risk losing state funding. Four Long Island school districts, including Massapequa, filed a lawsuit challenging the order, but a federal judge dismissed the case. Now, district leaders are hoping Trump's national spotlight on the issue will help them keep the name. What they're saying The Massapequa School District's "Chiefs" mascot has long been part of the community's identity. Supporters of the name say it is a symbol of tradition and local pride. "It's been embedded in our community and our town for so long," said one resident. "I don't feel it's a disgrace—if anything, we're honoring them," said another. A spokesperson for the New York State Education Department responded to the district's continued pushback, saying, "If members of the Massapequa Board of Ed want to honor and respect Long Island Native American past, they should talk to the Indigenous people who remain on Long Island." Harry Wallace, Chief of the Unkechaug Indian Nation, issued a statement calling such mascots a form of "racist symbolism." Germain Smith, a former Shinnecock tribal councilman, echoed that sentiment in an interview. "We're not a symbol, we're not history. We exist today," said Smith. "And to some Native children, it's hurtful to see those mascots, and you wouldn't understand that necessarily unless you grew up in a Native community." What's next The Massapequa School District released a statement saying they are "honored" to receive recognition from President Trump but are not commenting on what steps they plan to take next.
