The Native American Guardian’s Association (NAGA) urges the Washington Commanders (formerly the “Washington Redskins” and “Washington Football Team”) to revert to their former name, the Redskins.
A petition backing the name change has collected over 90,000 signatures.
NAGA emphasizes the importance of recognizing Native American history and opposes being targets of cancel culture or ESG.
Some speculate that a name change might also be a move to distance from the previous owner’s controversial period.
Ownership and Leadership Response
The request for a name change has been directed at the Commanders’ key figures including new owners Josh Harris and Magic Johnson, and head coach Ron Rivera.
The franchise has an opportunity to acknowledge the history and value of American Indians.
The team had previously changed its name in 2020 to the Washington Football Team, later adopting the Commanders name in 2022.
Background and History of NAGA
NAGA is a non-profit organization led by a board of Native Americans.
The association promotes increased education about Native Americans, especially in educational institutions.
They also strive for broader recognition of Native American heritage through public platforms like sports.
The name change to the Commanders had initially been a response to pressure, aiming to move away from the previous owner, Dan Snyder’s, troubled time with the team.
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