Oneida Indian Nation airing Thanksgiving radio ads against redskins name
By Mike Dyce
The Washington Redskins invited some Navajo code talkers to Monday Night Football to be honored for their service in World War II as part of the NFL’s salute to military veterans. It seemed like a PR stunt to bring some goodwill towards the Redskins and their name.
The Oneida Indian Nation isn’t backing down however. During Thanksgiving they’ll be playing radio ads on Detroit’s WXYT-FM and Baltimore’s WBAL-AM about the name. It is odd because the Redskins aren’t playing in either game, and it isn’t in Washington. The Oneida Indian Nation thanks those who have spoken out against the Redskins name in the ad.
“Thanksgiving is a holiday emphasizing the ideals of inclusion and mutual respect, and is a time when we give thanks,” Oneida Indian Nation representative Ray Halbritter said. “We would like to express our appreciation to everyone who has spoken out about the important moral and civil rights issue of changing the Washington football team’s name. Change the Mascot supporters have sent a powerful message to the NFL that no group deserves to be treated as the target of a hurtful racial slur, and that Native Americans should be treated as what we are: Americans.”
The full ad can be heard here.