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Native American group threatens boycott, demands Washington Commanders reclaim ‘Redskins’ name

August 10, 2023 | | Print Article

The Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) has a simple message for the NFL’s Washington Commanders: Change the name back to the “Washington Redskins” or they will boycott.

NAGA is, according to its website, a nonprofit that is “advocating for increased education about Native Americans, especially in public educational institutions, and greater recognition of Native American Heritage through the high profile venues of sports and other public platforms.”

Earlier this week, the group and its founder and president, Eunice Davidson fired off a letter to the “Washington ‘Commanders’ Ownership & Key Leadership” on reverting back to the name.


“At this moment in history, we are formally requesting that the team revitalize its relationship with the American Indian community by (i) changing the name back to ‘The Redskins’ which recognizes America’s original inhabitants and (ii) using the team’s historic name and legacy to encourage Americans to learn about, not cancel, the history of America’s tribes and our role in the founding of this Great Nation,” the letter reads.

“As you are undoubtedly aware, the Redskins had a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the American Indian community, dating back to their founding in 1932 as the Boston Braves, when their original coach was Native American (and former Carlisle Indian star) Lone Star Dietz,” it continues. “The team was renamed ‘The Redskins’ in 1933 and successfully carried that moniker for 87 years, during which time the team won five NFL championships and three Super Bowls (1982, 1987 and 1991 — which your own organization previously marketed incorrectly as 1983, 1988, 1992.

“During that time,” the group stated, it became one of the most well-known and well-loved professional sports teams — except to Dallas Cowboys fans — in the world and was avidly supported across the U.S. by native fan groups such as ‘the 505 Redskins’ and many others.”

Davidson, “a full-blood Dakota Sioux and an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Tribe from North Dakota,” according to NAGA’s website, gave the team an ultimatum.

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“NAGA stands ready to work with you and your ownership group to bring back the historic name and rebuild the team’s relationship with America’s original inhabitants. We are requesting a NAGA working group to meet with your organization to begin further dialogue on next steps,” the letter reads. “Should we need to encourage a national boycott similar to what happened to Anhuser Busch [sic] (Bud Light) which is now down $27 billion (note, not one brick thrown, not one highway blocked, not one bridge burned) — WE WILL DO JUST THAT!”

An online petition calling for the team to “Reclaim the Name” currently has over 75,000 signatures.


“In 2023 America, this oppression, and arbitrary and capricious recognition of U.S. history and Constitutional rights is not acceptable,” Davidson wrote in the letter. “We are standing our ground. If you don’t acknowledge history, we are doomed to repeat it.”

Melissa Fine
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