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The professional baseball team known as the Indianapolis Indians since 1902 will continue to play under that name for at least two more seasons, it announced Wednesday.
As part of the announcement, the team said it has partnered with the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana. The Indians said the partnership will include a land acknowledgement statement before games, recognition of Miami veterans during Native American Heritage Night at Victory Field, support of the Miami scholarship program and fan educational opportunities.
In mid-2020, the Indians said they would be reviewing their name, amid pressure from some who view monikers tied to Native American culture as inappropriate. At the time, the club said it would form “a committee to explore” its name and determine whether a change is necessary, based on dialogue with local organizations and community members.
Controversy over Native American names has prompted numerous sports teams at all levels to make changes in recent years. High-profile cases included Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians (now the Guardians) and the NFL’s Washington Redskins (now the Commanders).
“We are grateful to the Indianapolis Indians for the opportunity to share our story with Hoosiers throughout central Indiana,” said Brian Buchanan, chief of the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana, in written remarks. “When the history of Indiana is studied, the major influence of Native American people is seen in the names of Indiana cities, state parks, rivers, food, celebrations and other cultural points of interest. We have encouraged the team to remain the Indianapolis Indians.”
The Miami were once the largest tribe in Indiana, but many Miami people were forced to move to reservation lands west of the Mississippi River in the 1840s, prompting the tribe to split into two groups. The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is still federally recognized, but the Indiana Miami had their federal recognition stripped in 1897. It is registered as a not-for-profit.
Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana says it is one of the 100 largest tribes in the United States and the only continuously functioning, treaty-recognized tribe in the country that is not considered a tribe by the federal government.
“We are pleased to work with the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana to help educate our fans about the rich history and culture of its tribe,” said Bruce Schumacher, Indianapolis Indians chairman and CEO, in written comments. “We look forward to using our platform to educate our fans by acknowledging, uplifting and honoring those upon whose ancestral lands Victory Field is built. We are excited to highlight the Miami Nation and influence of Native American people throughout our state, which means ‘land of the Indians’ and city, which means ‘city of Indians’ at Victory Field this season.”
The Indians are the Minor League Triple-A baseball club affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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Glad they worked this out and kept the name with some concessions giving the tribe some recognition. Born and raised here in the Indian Lands, as well as my entire family since the late 1700’s, the agreement bears the right thing to do for all involved!
KevinP.
There was NOTHING to work out in the first place.
A solution to a problem that did NOT exist.
Kevin I agree with your comment, but wonder, is this just a temporary restraint that will end up with a name change eventually? Why only two years?
The Indianapolis Indians did just fine for well over a hundred years with their
mascot, Then some guy acts offended at the use of the Indians mascot
that probably is 1/64 Native American so everything gets put on hold??
He’s offended so everybody else is suppose to be???
Does anyone else see the utter nonsense in that thinking??
Just use the dam mascot as we have for last 120 years. What is wrong
with people???? Why are you seeking permission in the first place.
It’s a genetic name!! No one is being mistreated or demeaned.
And for all those people that want all Indian mascots removed ( braves, Chiefs,
warriors, Indians, ect,,,)
these will be the same people 20 years from now bitching about racism
because there are no Indian mascots.
This whole thing has been absolutely rediculious and common sense has been thrown right out the window.
You’re all correct!! It Was a big PC todo about nothing, but the Indians family had the guts to stand strong!
Next, INDIANa changes its name. Any suggestions on what might be appropriate?
🤪
I’ve been saying that – you can’t change Indians without also changing Indiana and Indianapolis. So unless anyone is proposing that…….
I am curious and have not seen this addressed in any of the stories on this — will the Miami Nation receive any money as a result of this partnership, other than the support for the scholarship program?