Descendants of Blackfeet Chief Two Guns White Calf push to bring back Washington NFL team’s original 'Redskins' moniker and emblem

(L) circa 1930: Chief Two Guns White Calf of the Glacier National Park tribe. (Photo by Roy Pinney/Three Lions/Getty Images) /(R) Washington Redskins merchandise is seen for sale at a sports store in Fairfax, Virginia on July 13, 2020. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Descendants of Blackfeet Chief Two Guns White Calf, the historical figure whose likeness inspired the long-time logo of Washington’s NFL franchise, are pushing to bring back the team’s original “Redskins” moniker and iconic emblem.

The family and estate representatives argue that the 2020 retirement of the name and logo “erased” their ancestor’s legacy rather than honoring Native American heritage.

Pushing back against the initial decision driven by left-wing activist groups, family spokespeople expressed frustration that direct descendants were never consulted when the team abandoned its historic identity.

Additionally, the campaign extends beyond the restoration of the emblem, as the family is actively advocating to name Washington’s prospective venue the “John Two Guns White Calf Memorial Stadium.”

 

 If realized, this proposal would establish the first NFL stadium named in honor of a Native American figure.

Representatives of the Chief’s estate emphasize that the logo served as a “point of pride and representation” for their community, rather than a harmful (or racist) depiction, and are seeking direct leadership meetings with the franchise and political stakeholders to advance their proposal.

“We want the name and logo restored with our family’s direct participation and blessing, and the new stadium named the John Two Guns White Calf Memorial Stadium — the first NFL stadium ever named for a Native American,” said Morningstar Gopher, the press and media relations rep for the Estate of Chief Two Guns White Calf, speaking to the Washington Examiner.

“The Redskins logo, for our family, was never meant to cause harm,” he continued. “It was a sense of pride. We want our own people to see that.”

Credit: oan.com