The Onondaga Nation has long been a proponent of non-native mascots, read the Haudenosaune statement on mascots here. No matter what the intent of organizations in having native mascot, inevitability their fans are dressed in war paint and feathers and their mascot is jousting with a stuffed animal mascot on the sideline; not honorable.
In the 1970s, the Onondaga Nation worked with Syracuse University to change their mascot. The University agreed that there are other ways to better honor the Onondaga Nation than having a mascot. Since that time, the University has helped in providing scholarships for our youth, provided Onondaga language classes, provided symposiums on the Onondaga government, funded educational series on Onondaga culture, and worked with us on environmental issues with the lake and stream.
Congressman John Katko recognized the need to honor Native Americans as people, not mascots. The Senator informed the Onondaga Nation Council of his letter to NFL Commissioner Goodell of his support to change the name of the Washington Football team. The Onondaga Nation applauds the effort of the Senator to help change the perception that mascots are honoring us.
Please read the letter the Senator wrote to the commissioner
