Philadelphia Writing Project
Supporting Civically Engaged Argument Writing with Primary Sources
Text Set
Sports Mascots
Professional sports teams, colleges, and high schools across the country have used names, images, and symbols of Indigenous peoples as team names, mascots, and logos. Over time, some teams changed their mascots and names while others maintained them. Students can engage in conversations about the naming and branding of sports teams and the use of Native American names, images, and symbols.
FEATURED PRIMARY SOURCES
Website
Washington Football Team archived website. 2020. (Internet Archive, Library of Congress).
*Please note: This primary source may include language and imagery that some find to be offensive and/or racist. Prepare students for respectful dialogue and have clear learning goals for introducing this text.
TEXT SET
Introduce the Issue
Teachers may introduce one or both of the featured historical primary sources above alongside more current news articles to introduce the issue and jumpstart inquiry.
For many Native Americans, the Washington Commanders' new name offers some closure. News article describing recent change in name of an NFL football team. (NPR, 2022).
Not your mascot: Native Americans and team mascots. News video featuring professor who describes history of derogatory terms used from Indigenous people in the United States. (Twin Cities PBS, 2019).
Why Central Michigan 'Chippewas' nickname is OK with local tribe, NCAA. News article providing perspectives on use of a local tribe nickname as a college sports team name. (Detroit Free Press, 2020).
Hundreds of schools are still using Native Americans as team mascots. Infographic and news article about use of Native American terms and images as sports mascots. (FiveThirtyEight, 2020).
Go Deeper
Students may use these texts—or excerpts from these texts—to identify additional perspectives on the issue.
A retro look in the archives reveals past views on language derogatory to Native Americans. News magazine article about how museums and archives can reveal perspectives on language and stereotypes about American Indians. (Smithsonian Magazine, 2022).
Native stereotypes and mascots harm all of us. Website arguing for the discontinuation of stereotypes, symbols, and gestures that depict Native Peoples. (Association on American Indian Affairs, n.d.).
My complicated relationship with our school’s mascot. News article about the use of Seminole terms, gestures, and symbols by Florida State University. (FSUnews.com, 2020).
Florida State's Chief Osceola disgusts member of Seminole tribe of Oklahoma. News article with perspectives from Oklahoma about the Florida State University mascot. (The Oklahoman, 2011).
Additional Planning Resources
Primary Sources
Research guide: Native American history and culture: Finding pictures. (Library of Congress).
Primary Source Set: Native American Boarding Schools. (Library of Congress).
Lesson Plan: Exploring the Stories Behind Native American Boarding Schools. (Library of Congress).
Teaching Resources
Video: Why one historic Indian boarding school is now...good? (PBS Origins, 2024).
Native Knowledge 360°. (National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution).
Picture Book
Mascot. (2023).
We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know. (2021).
This website features resources created by educators affiliated with the Philadelphia Writing Project (PhilWP), supported by a Teaching with Primary Sources grant from the Library of Congress.
The following Philadelphia Writing Project teacher consultants contributed to this page: J. Ross, P. Savage, and J. F. Smith.
Some of the resources and approaches referenced on this page were developed by the National Writing Project's (NWP) College, Career, and Community Writers Program.
Teacher Consultants in the NWP Write Now Teacher Studio and members of the Teaching with Primary Sources Teachers Network have provided feedback on and suggestions for this page.
This page was updated 29 September 2024.