Tribal activists are supporting a Long Island school in its choice to retain its team name, the Chiefs, despite a state ban on the use of Native American logos. The support comes in response to a recent ruling against the school’s decision. Activists like Frank Black Cloud from the Spirit Lake Nation in North Dakota argue that renaming the team would erase important cultural and historical ties to Native American heritage. Black Cloud cited polling data that shows the majority of Native Americans do not find terms like “Redskins” offensive. President Trump has also voiced his support for the school to keep its team name, further igniting the debate.
In response to the controversy, a New York State Department of Education spokesperson suggested that the school should engage with local Indigenous communities to better understand their perspectives. Local proponents of keeping the Chiefs name, such as Laura Albanese-Christopher, a Cherokee descent graduate of Massapequa, believe that removing the name would be disrespectful and erase a significant part of the town’s history. Symbols representing Native American culture are prevalent in Massapequa beyond just the school’s team name, with the town’s volunteer fire department also displaying such imagery. Officials in Massapequa are adamant about retaining their heritage and traditions, refusing to make changes despite the state mandate.
The fight to keep the Native American team names extends beyond Massapequa to neighboring Wantagh as well. A lawsuit against the New York State Board of Regents aimed to challenge a mandate requiring the removal of all Native American team names throughout the state by 2023. The high cost associated with rebranding school names has been a concern for the districts involved. President Trump’s public support for Massapequa in keeping the Chiefs name has added fuel to the debate. The Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) has been actively involved in advocating for the retention of Native American team names in schools across all 50 states, aiming to preserve cultural identities.
Black Cloud and other members of NAGA believe that Trump’s advocacy for the school reflects a broader issue of political correctness overshadowing cultural heritage. They feel that the left does not acknowledge the significance of these names and symbols and are quick to erase them without considering the opinions of Native Americans. However, the federal government’s role in addressing state-level bans remains uncertain. Despite the school’s plea for intervention, the Education Department has stood by its decision to prohibit the use of Native American team names due to concerns about respect and inclusivity for all students. Native American activists like David Finkenbinder are hoping for a different outcome for schools like Massapequa that are fighting to retain their heritage.
For Finkenbinder and others, the removal of Native American team names from schools represents a loss of cultural identity and history. He recalls the disappointment when his own high school in Colorado changed its team name from “Indians.” Finkenbinder believes that these names and symbols are essential to educating students about Native American history and the significance of their heritage. The conflict between the state mandate and the desires of local communities illustrates a broader conversation about cultural sensitivity, respect, and the importance of preserving traditions. The debate surrounding the Chiefs’ team name in Massapequa is a microcosm of a larger issue that extends across the country regarding the use of Native American imagery in sports and schools.
