2014-12: Honoring Suzanne Harjo

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1970 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, NIEA, as the largest national Indian organization of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian educators, administrators, parents, and students in the United States, provides a forum to discuss and act upon issues affecting the education of Indian and Native people; and

WHEREAS, through its unique relationship with Indian nations and tribes, the federal government has established programs and resources to meet the educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, residing on and off their reserved or non-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, Suzanne Harjo was the lead plaintiff in the 1992 suit filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office aimed at eliminating trademark protection for the Washington Redsk*ns National Football League football team and has worked tirelessly to eliminate the use of the Redsk*ns’ name; and

WHEREAS, the United States Patent and Trademark Office has recently ruled that the trademarks of the Washington Redsk*ns are disparaging to a substantial composite of Native Americans and in doing so, revoked six separate trademarks held by the Washington Redsk*ns; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association through Resolution 2009-05 supports the elimination of race based Indian logos, mascots and names and NIEA has long held the position that such names, images, and monikers are inappropriate; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association along with other American Indian organizations filed a “BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS ET AL. IN SUPPORT OF THE PETITION FOR A WRIT OF CERTIORARI” in SUZAN S. HARJO, ET AL., PETITIONERS, V. PRO-FOOTBALL, INC.;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association recognizes the outstanding work of Suzanne Harjo to educate America about the history of the Redsk*ns’ name and negative stereotypes associated with the Redsk*ns’ name; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NIEA joins NCAI in its campaign to change the Redsk*ns name and NIEA supports a divestment from Federal Express who is the lead corporate sponsor for the Washington Redsk*ns; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association encourages its members, as well as schools, school districts, and tribes to join in beginning to divest from Federal Express; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that NIEA will form a committee comprised of board members, staff, and NIEA members to launch an educational campaign raising awareness on the need to change the Redsk*ns’ name and divest in the Redsk*ns’ lead corporate sponsor.