Chicago Blackhawks name and logo controversy

Jonathan Toews during the 2008–09 season, wearing a Chicago Blackhawks jersey that features the team's logo of a Native American head

The Chicago Blackhawks name and logo controversy refers to the controversy surrounding the name and logo of the Chicago Blackhawks, a National Hockey League (NHL) ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. Like other teams with tribal mascots, there are calls from Indigenous activists and organizations to change the Blackhawks' name and logo and eliminate tribal mascots and imagery throughout sports.[1] In contrast to generic names used by other teams, Blackhawks refers to a World War I-era U.S. Army division which was named for prominent Illinois-based Native American chief Black Hawk.[2]

The National Congress of American Indians,[3] the American Indian Center of Chicago, The Chi-Nations Youth Council, and over 1,500 Native organizations and advocates from over 150 federally recognized tribes across the country, including members of the Sac and Fox Nation, support changing the team name and logo.[4][5][6][7][8] Members of Black Hawk's family have spoken out calling on the hockey team to change the team name and logo and cease from profiting off of Black Hawk’s name, image, and legacy.[9] Since July 2020, headdresses have been banned from being worn at Blackhawk home games.[10][11] The team has stated that they believe that both the name and logo symbolize the importance of Black Hawk's legacy.[12] Chicago is home to the third largest Urban Indian population in the United States with 65,000 Native Americans in the Greater Chicagoland area with over 175 tribes represented.[13]

  1. ^ "Washington's NFL team drops 'Redskins' name after 87 years". 13 July 2020.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference roots was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "NCAI Encouraged by Washington Commanders' Decision to Leave the Past Behind | NCAI". ncai.org. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  4. ^ "Statement on Blackhawks". American Indian Center Chicago. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  5. ^ "Statement on recent announcement to remove the Columbus statue". Twitter. Chi-Nations Youth Council. July 24, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  6. ^ Michael Whitaker (July 3, 2020). "The Athletic: Is it time for a logo change for the Chicago Blackhawks?". Detroit Sports Nation. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  7. ^ "Native Leaders and Investors Respond to Washington D.C. Football Team Name 'Review'". University of Colorado Boulder. First Peoples Worldwide. July 6, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  8. ^ "Letter to Goodell" (PDF). University of Colorado Boulder. First Peoples Worldwide. July 6, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  9. ^ Savini, Dave; Assad, Samah (2024-06-10). ""Do what's right": Black Hawk descendant demands Chicago Blackhawks change logo, name - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference ban was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference apban was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference TeamSite was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ ""We're Still Here": Chicago's Native American Community". WTTW Chicago. 2018-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-22.