The badge of the Exeter Chiefs features Native American branding
The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) have called on Rugby Union side Exeter Chiefs to change their badge due to its Native American branding.
As per the BBC, it is the latest in a series of calls for Exeter to change the branding after a petition back in 2020 was signed by more than 3,700 people.
The Chiefs did retire their mascot, known as the ‘Big Chief’ but chose to keep the name, badge and Native American branding around their ground, Sandy Park.
Dante Desiderio, the chief executive of the NCAI released a statement saying: “The will of Indian Country is clear – Native ‘themed’ mascot imagery and the dehumanising stereotypes it perpetuates must go.”
Desiderio also called for the club to address the use of headdresses and the venue of the bar, which is known as the ‘Wigwam bar.’
He said: “Out of respect for tribal sovereignty, we ask that you heed the voices of tribal leaders representing hundreds of Tribal Nations and the organisations that serve their citizens – not the voices of a few select individuals – when working to understand where Indian Country broadly stands on this issue.”
“Please know the NCAI is committed to working with the Exeter Rugby Club to aid in its mascot branding transition, including offering a tribal leader to share with your leadership, club members, and/or the Exeter community our perspective on this important issue.”
The topic surrounding the branding of Exeter’s branding will be discussed among the club’s members at the next general meeting which is due to take place on 24 November.
Exeter aren’t the only sports team who have come in for criticism. Previously in the United States, Washington’s American football side dropped the controversial ‘Redskins’ from their name, whilst MLB side Cleveland recently changed their name to the ‘Guardians’ instead of the ‘Indians.’
