As an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Tribe located at the Fort Totten Indian Reservation in North Dakota, I can speak only for myself regarding the issue of using mascots and imagery to "honor" American Indians.

The dictionary defines mascots as a person, animal or thing thought to bring good luck.

Why would institutions want to use American Indian mascots and imagery to bring them good luck, especially when the Declaration of Independence refers to Indians as "merciless savages"? For our non-Indian contemporaries to dress and mimic Indians with war whoops and jumping around as though they are Indians dancing simply perpetuates the image of being "merciless savages." These images have been used to de-humanize Indian people throughout centuries to promote the justification of their genocide in its various forms by United States federal policy.

If you truly want to honor American Indians, then honor the Constitution of the United States of America, Article Six, regarding treaties. When America honors these treaties, then and only then will America honor American Indians. There are 371 treaties made with Indian people.

American Indian mascots that are used to bring good luck is no great honor. Rather, the practice is self-serving.