As protesters gathered outside the University of Phoenix Stadium, the Washington Redskins owner, Daniel Snyder, continued his campaign to convince the world there is nothing racist about his team’s name.
Throughout the 20-30 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Snyder was joined in his box by the president of the Navajo Nation, Ben Shelly, presumably to demonstrate Native American support for Washington’s chosen mascot.
Shelly is a controversial figure himself, having been charged with fraud, conspiracy and theft, before the charges were dropped after he agreed to pay back the $8,250 he was accused of stealing from the tribal government. He recently finished seventh in the primary election, and will no longer hold the title of president from 14 January 2015.
Shelly’s apparent support for the Redskins moniker runs counter to his own tribal council, which voted by a margin of 9-2 to oppose the name. He also angered tribal leaders when he partnered with Synder’s Original Americans Foundation (OAF) to host a golf tournament, which led to the sponsors, the National Indian Gaming Association and the Notah Begay III Foundation, pulling out.
At the time Jacqueline Keeler, a member of the Navajo/Yankton Sioux and founder of EONM (Eradicating Offensive Native Mascotry), said: “I think it is unfortunate the Navajo Nation administration of Ben Shelly is so out of step with the Navajo people, particularly, the young people, regarding this issue … I am also alarmed at the underhanded way this event was handled. The other funders were unaware of the Washington Redskins OAF involvement until the day before and Ben Shelly has repeatedly refused to comment on his meeting with Snyder.”
With Snyder’s choice of support for his cause, it seems unlikely he will sway any of those so vociferously opposing the continuation of the Redskins brand.
