Cindy Martin

Cindy L. Martin, Lakota and Choctaw 

Founding Member of Tulsa Indian Coalition Against Racism (TICAR) 

I believe American Indian mascots, sports team names, and monikers go beyond appropriation. They are in every sense the continuation of the conquerors' mentality of subjugation and assimilation. They failed to annihilate and extricate us as a People and our ways from this continent, so the last remnant of that mentality is racist sports team names and imagery. If we cannot destroy you then we will force you to fit our definitions and narratives of history. In a sense, make you into our own image of savagery and desolation. What they haven't counted on and have never understood is that we are unconquerable. We are the flesh, blood, and very essence of this continent. We are what has always been and will always be. We are Our Ancestors hope for the future, dignity, and perseverance. 

Yakoke, O’han