Senator wants Washington Commanders to pay tribute to an old logo that offends many Indigenous

After a half century of activism, many Native Americans thought a bitter debate over the capital’s football mascot was over two years ago when the team became the Washington Commanders. Daines said in a prepared statement that he would hold up the stadium legislation until representatives of the Washington Commanders and the NFL show that they’re working with the Wetzel family and leaders of the Blackfeet Nation to find a way to “honor the history of the logo and heritage of our tribal nations and to rededicate the organization as an advocate for Indian Country.” FILE - Members of the Blackfeet Nation perform as part of the Washington football team’s observance of Native American Heritage Month prior to an NFL football game on Nov. 24, 2019, in Landover, Md. FILE - Members of the Blackfeet Nation perform as part of the Washington football team’s observance of Native American Heritage Month prior to an NFL football game on Nov. 24, 2019, in Landover, Md. Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print For many Indigenous peoples, the team’s original name and logo represent an ugly history of racial discrimination and violence, as well as modern-day battles over ethical representation of Native Americans in popular culture. FILE - In this July 13, 2018, file photo, a woman performs a traditional Native American dance during the North American Indian Days celebration on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, FILE - In this July 13, 2018, file photo, a woman performs a traditional Native American dance during the North American Indian Days celebration on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print ____ Brewer is an Oklahoma City-based member of AP’s Race and Ethnicity team.