Penobscots seeking ban of Cleveland’s mascot ‘Chief Wahoo’ found as offensive, racist

For years the public face of the Cleveland Indians has been the red-faced cartoon figure of “Chief Wahoo” that serves as the baseball club’s mascot.

If the Penobscot Indian Nation has its way, future generations of baseball fans won’t associate that mascot with the team – or with Indians as a race.

In October the Penobscot Nation passed a resolution by unanimous vote that called for the Cleveland Indians baseball organization to eliminate Chief Wahoo as its team mascot.

The resolution asks that the Cleveland Indians:

. “Recognize, accept and honor the rich legacy of [Penobscot baseball star] Louis Sockalexis and Native American cultures;”

. “Advocate for the elimination of racist images of Indians;”

. and “Strengthen the spirit of tolerance and justice in your community and our country.”

Tribal Governor Barry Dana, who took office at the beginning of October, said the resolution was passed during his first meeting as chair of the Tribal Council.

Dana said his uncle, Butch Phillips, brought the issue up, and it was dealt with enthusiastically by the Council and others in attendance.

“He knows my stance, so he knew the timing was right [to introduce the topic],” Dana said. “I’ve always taken the position, and more vocally lately, that native people shouldn’t be used as mascots.”

The resolution points out that the Penobscot Nation “finds the red-faced American Indian cartoon/mascot, ‘Chief Wahoo,’ to be a an offensive, degrading and racist stereotype that firmly places Indian people in the past, separate from our contemporary cultural experience.

“This depiction, further, emphasizes a tragic part of our history – focusing on wartime survival while ignoring the strength and beauty of Indian cultures during times of peace. …”

Dana is steadfast in defending the beliefs of the Penobscot people.

“It really doesn’t honor us,” Dana said. “It’s not too flattering.”

Dana said that during his term as governor he hopes to elicit some changes through education and increased understanding. He said reasoned discussion would prove more valuable than being a “physical, demanding activist, screaming about things.”

In that vein, Dana said he expects the Cleveland organization to be willing to talk with the Penobscot Nation about the matter.

“We did it at this time because we thought they would be open to it,” Dana said. “Maybe if they get it tomorrow morning, they wouldn’t change [the mascot] tomorrow afternoon. This is only our guess, but I think they’d call us, and tell us they’ll take it under serious consideration.”

Dana said the resolution didn’t seek the change of the nickname “Indians,” but admitted that he doesn’t like that very much, either. He doubts “one tiny tribe up in Maine is going to force a huge organization to change their [nickname]” while holding out hope that the tribe may be able to get the Wahoo mascot abolished.

Dana said he draws a distinction between nicknames that refer to a race and those that refer to a position within a social group.

“I don’t see any problem with ‘Chiefs,’ because there are chiefs all over the world,” Dana said. “I don’t see any problem with ‘Warriors,’ because there are warriors all over the world. But when you say ‘Indian,’ you’re referring to a race.”