The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

U.S. Patent And Trademark Office Cancels Washington Redskins Trademark.

Quote:..........name is “disparaging to Native Americans” and thus in violation of federal trademark laws banning offensive or disparaging language.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/18...07169.html

From what I understand the Chippewa tribe approves of CMU use of the name.

But then didn't the Huron tribe also say that EMU was good with using the tribes name.

(06-18-2014 08:22 PM)Broncobelt Wrote:  From what I understand the Chippewa tribe approves of CMU use of the name.

But then didn't the Huron tribe also say that EMU was good with using the tribes name.

they were, but EMU's president or AD at at the time (can't remember which) made the decision that he thought it was offensive and needed to be changed.

There were some concessions made to keep the Chippewa name. No Indian-looking mascot, no feather / spear on the helmets (feathers are sacred to the Chippewas), no "war dance", etc. All easy things to agree to, and the Chippewa Tribe has been an outstanding supporter of CMU. I would be shocked to see any change in the relationship.

(06-19-2014 10:57 AM)SilentStryk09 Wrote:  

(06-18-2014 08:22 PM)Broncobelt Wrote:  From what I understand the Chippewa tribe approves of CMU use of the name.

But then didn't the Huron tribe also say that EMU was good with using the tribes name.

they were, but EMU's president or AD at at the time (can't remember which) made the decision that he thought it was offensive and needed to be changed.

And without even consulting the Huron Tribe, I might add. The chief of the Hurons at that time was on WRIF the day after the decision was made. He wasn't happy.

Has Florida State made any comments about this? I know North Dakota was in trouble with NCAA over the "Fighting Sioux" name a couple years ago, and shouldn't Notre Dame feel some heat for being the "Fighting Irish"?

UND got all of their heat because of the "Fighting" part of the name. FSU and CMU have the blessings of their respective tribes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Amer...ssociation

"Four additional colleges originally on the "hostile and abusive" list: Central Michigan University (Chippewas), Florida State University (Seminoles), Mississippi College (Choctaws) and University of Utah (Utes) were granted waivers to retain their nicknames after gaining support from those respective tribes."

Notre Dame is entirely different beast, IMO. Mostly since the school is run by and attended by the people it is "mocking", even though they didn't come up with the name for themselves. That and half the country isn't afraid of offending the Irish like they are the Natives.

Some of you know my wife is native Potowattami, her family are the Whitepigeons the town is named after, her people are prominent in the legal history of the transfer of Michigan to the United States.

She is careful to draw a distinction between the term "Redskins" vs. names like Seminoles or Chippawas. Redskins is a derogatory term with a rather chilling origin, while Seminole is simply a tribal name.

She finds many of the images offensive, as they are charicatures of actual images with feature like the bright red skin and huge hooked noses that are not representative of actual Indians as they look in modern society.

The dancing Chief Illianiwac or what ever of the Fighting Illini (no longer done pre game walk on feature), feathers, etc are sacred religious features of the Native religions and not appropriate to use by whites or football.

The resistance to change is odd, as none of us would ever thing of using a term like ****** in polite company but don't see the connection to Redskin in the same way.

Ironically, we live in Paw Paw and my children (who are registered with the federal government as descendents of the people who signed the treaty ceding Michigan to the US) grew up with that awful picture of a Redskin painted in the middle of the gym floor there.

My wife's family are well educated and for the most part very prosperous, responsible citizens. They are low profile though and would never think of making a public issue of this topic. But they are definitely offended by the Redskin thing in particular.

Quote:they were, but EMU's president or AD at at the time (can't remember which) made the decision that he thought it was offensive and needed to be changed.

I think EMU carrying the name of ANY person or group of persons would be offensive to them. I certainly wouldn't want EMU named after me -- it makes Anyone look bad!

On a similar note shouldn't Idaho have some 'splaining to do with their Vandals name?

I have to agree using the tribal name with permission (even if it was granted long after the name started being used) is far different than a generic derogatory, and I second the call of not naming any associated with EMU after me and mine.

(07-19-2014 06:18 AM)Dirty Ernie Wrote:  Some of you know my wife is native Potowattami, her family are the Whitepigeons the town is named after, her people are prominent in the legal history of the transfer of Michigan to the United States.

She is careful to draw a distinction between the term "Redskins" vs. names like Seminoles or Chippawas. Redskins is a derogatory term with a rather chilling origin, while Seminole is simply a tribal name.

She finds many of the images offensive, as they are charicatures of actual images with feature like the bright red skin and huge hooked noses that are not representative of actual Indians as they look in modern society.

The dancing Chief Illianiwac or what ever of the Fighting Illini (no longer done pre game walk on feature), feathers, etc are sacred religious features of the Native religions and not appropriate to use by whites or football.

The resistance to change is odd, as none of us would ever thing of using a term like ****** in polite company but don't see the connection to Redskin in the same way.

Ironically, we live in Paw Paw and my children (who are registered with the federal government as descendents of the people who signed the treaty ceding Michigan to the US) grew up with that awful picture of a Redskin painted in the middle of the gym floor there.

My wife's family are well educated and for the most part very prosperous, responsible citizens. They are low profile though and would never think of making a public issue of this topic. But they are definitely offended by the Redskin thing in particular.

Thanks for sharing and the context Ernie.