MASSACHUSETTS
CENTER
FOR
NATIVE AMERICAN AWARENESS
NEWS LETTER
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MCNAA Position Statement on Native American Mascots
The Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness, Inc., (MCNAA) finds the use of mascots and accompanying stereotypical behavior to be an offensive and derogatory practice that belittles the culture and religion of Native Americans. Mascots dehumanize and objectify Native Americans reaffirming the belief that Native people no longer exist or that they exist only in the media or as caricatures. Stereotyping of this nature is harmful on many levels not only to Native people but also to those who allow the stereotype to shape their view.MCNAA supports the 2001 statement of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights that deemed the use of Native mascots "inappropriate, insensitive, disrespectful and offensive" and calls for an immediate cessation of the use of Native American mascots. MCNAA does not condone stereotyping, bias, discrimination or prejudice against any racial, ethnic or religious group.
Adopted by consensus of the Leadership Team 4-30-07