Race, Place, and Biography at Play

Critical to the Indian mascot debate is the question of whether American Indians support their use. My research describes the diverse viewpoints of Northeast (NE) Ohio Natives, who live in a region with a prominent Indian mascot. I also explore a biographical pattern that maps onto respondents’ perspectives. Natives who lived in the urban setting exclusively ( urban only ) are less likely to resist romantic portrayals of Indianness, such as those conveyed by Indian mascots. Natives who lived on or near a reservation prior to moving to NE Ohio ( reservation & city ), however, are more likely to participate in protest against the region’s Indian imagery. I suggest that Natives with experiences in both environmental spheres have a heightened sensitivity to the harmful consequences of all Indian stereotypes.