Tribal Chiefs Support The Indian

Wednesday, October 23, 1996

The following is the text of a letter mailed to 200 Indian tribal chiefs in 1984. Their reaction, and overwhelming support of the Indian symbol first appeared in TDR on October 3, 1984. Of the responding chiefs, 125 favored the Indian symbol, while only 11 were opposed to it. 15 chiefs had no opinion. Of the chiefs with no opinion, the majority were from western tribes, who preferred to defer to tribes from the Northeast.

Dear Sir,

The Dartmouth Review, an independent weekly college newspaper, wants your opinion on an important issue.

Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, was founded about 200 years ago for the education of Indians.

For most of that time, Dartmouth had an Indian symbol, the profile of a brave, similar to that on the buffalo nickel, to represent its tradition and founding purpose. The symbol appeared on athletic uniforms.

However, 10 years ago, the Indian symbol was discarded because some Native Americans and others felt that it stereotyped the Indian race. So, for the past 10 years, Dartmouth has been without a symbol.

Currently, some of the alumni and students would like to bring back the symbol, again, to honor the tradition and purpose of the college.

Do you think Dartmouth should bring back the Indian? Do you feel that the symbol is an honor or a dishonor?

We feel your opinion in this matter is important and greatly appreciate your
comments and suggestions. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Dinesh D'Souza

Also in October, 1984, phone interviews were conducted to supplement the survey. Following are some of the remarks from those interviews.

Leaford Bearskin, Chief
Wyandotte Council
Miami, Oklahoma

'Stanford changed their name some time ago because some idiot decided it was offensive to him.'

'There are a lot of do-gooders in the Indian world. I'm not one of them.'

Lewis H. Barlow, Chief
Ottawa Council
Miami, Oklahoma

'I think you should bring the symbol back.'

'We have the Kansas City Chiefs. They use a designer from our tribe.'

'I think it's fine. I can't see why anybody would object. We have 63 tribes in Oklahoma- the second greatest Indian population in the country- and I've never heard any objections like the ones you're telling me about.'

Darwin Hill, Tribal Director
Tonawanda Band of Senecas
Council of Chiefs
Basom, New York

'I was aware of the controversy at Dartmouth and at other colleges.'

'I really like it at those schools.'

'I was sorry to see the universities do away with it.'

'Sometimes the Indian was used badly. But those were exceptions. The actual symbol was okay.'

Lawrence Astor, Chairman
Reno-Sparks Indian Council
Reno, Nevada

'Bring the Indian back.'

'There was a period in time when people protested everything.'

'They weren't against the Indian symbol so much as they were trying to get recognition.'

'It is self-destructive for Indians to try and do away with their heritage.'

Ruth Harris, Tribal Secretary
San Carlos Tribal Council
San Carlos, Arizona

'In my opinion, the Indian symbol is not just okay but good.'

'Tell your friends at Dartmouth to bring it back.'

'I think most of the people who object to the Indian symbol are not Indians. They are envious of the symbol, probably.'

Justin Lola
Indian Township Passamaquoddy Reservation
Princeton, Maine

'I think it would be nice to bring the Indian symbol back.'

'It reflects tradition and the college's founding.'

'It's fine by me. It sounds good. I see no problem.'

Ralph F. Dana, Governor
Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Reservation
Perry, Maine

'As long as the symbol doesn't depict Indians in a derogatory way, it's okay.'

Charles Carlyle, Member
Ak Chin Community Council
Maricopa, Arizona

'Bring the Indian back.'

'The people who said, 'get rid of the Indian,' are probably radicals.'

'Our people would not mind a bit.'

Clyde Sanchez, Governor
Picuris Pueblo
Penasco, New Mexico

'I have no argument about the Indian.'

'The people who are against the symbol are misinformed.'

'You have to be careful not portray the Indian as a savage at all times.'

'I would certainly favor a dignified Indian symbol.'

Clarinda Smith, Secretary
Fort McDowell Mohave-Apache Community Council
Fountain Hills, Arizona

'No. We wouldn't have any objections to you using the Indian.'

'There is the Phoenix Indian High School here which has the Indian symbol.'
Robert Burns, Office Director
Houlton Maliseet Band Council
Houlton, Maine

'My opinion is that provided the symbol doesn't portray a parody, it's okay.'

'The Cleveland Indians were so named in honor of an Indian player named Louis Sockalexis.'

'Previously, they were the Cleveland Spiders.'

'If the symbol doesn't denigrate Indians, I think it would be appropriate to bring it back, given Dartmouth's commitment and heritage.'

Bonnie Stevenson, Tribal Officer
Delaware Executive Committee
Anadarko, Oklahoma

'Personally, I don't find the Indian offensive or discriminatory. I like the idea myself.'

'It is something we Indians can relate to.'

'Oklahoma University near us had the Big Red for its mascot. A few Indians found it offensive, but the majority of the Indian people didn't.'

'They did away with the Big Red at Oklahoma State. I found that an insult.'

Mildred Cleghorn, Chairman
Fort Sill Apache Committee
Apache, Oklahoma

'I think it's alright to have the Indian.'

'Go for it all- Indian dances, Indian cheers. It is something we support.'

'Some of the portraits I've seen I wouldn't care for. But something like the Indian head on the nickel- that's fine.'

Aquila Tilton, Secretary
Iowa Executive Committee
Hiawatha, Nebraska

'I don't have any problem with the Indian.'

'I'm in favor of it.'

'I'd play down the criticism. I don't think it is valid.'

Truman Jefferson, Secretary
Crow Tribal Council
Crow Agency, Montana

'I think, as a new tribal official, that the Indian symbol is dignifying to Indians.'

'I was very diasppointed when Dartmouth got rid of the Indian.'

'It is not a racial issue.'

'I think it helps to educate people about Indian culture. Our culture is neglected everywhere else. I hope Dartmouth won't be the same.'

'I was planning on attending Dartmouth but I took the wrong turn and went elsewhere.'

'There's nothing wrong with pride in one's past.'

Francis Allen, Tribal Administator
Kickapoo Council
McLoud, Oklahoma

'I thought that Dartmouth was still called the Indians.'

'What is the symbol now?'

'If there is no reminder, people will forget who we are. They will forget what people did to us.'

Ken George, Chairman
Forest County Potawatomi General Council
Crandon, Wisconsin

'Well, I think you should keep it.'

'Maybe have something like the eagle beside it.'

'It'd be an honor.'

Franklin McLain, Member
Kaw Business Committee
Kaw City, Oklahoma

'I would venture to say, the symbol is good. I'm proud to be an Indian. I don't have any problems with it.'

'The federal government has been trying to do away with all Indian treaties. But we're here to stay. And we plan to be here for a long time.'

Tribal Chiefs Support The Indian

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