TEMPLETON, Calif. --
A semi-professional baseball team on the central coast is striking out with some
people because of it's mascot.
The North County
Indians Baseball team in Templeton is taking heat from the local Native American
tribe.
The North County Indians'
Baseball team uses a logo depicting a Native American some say is racist.
A team's mascot and logo are
supposed to inspire unit and be a symbol of pride but for Native Americans
across the central coast, the North County Indians' logo is a slap in the
face.
"First of all, it's red and for
us Redskins--like for African Americans--the N-word," says Native American Joe
Gonzales. "That's our N-word".
The team used to play in Santa
Maria back in 2009 but has since moved to Templeton.
And the Northern Chumash Tribal
Council sent a "cease and desist" letter to the team last week.
"When you look at it, it got a
big old nose and cheesy gin and buck teeth," says Gonzales. "I mean it's
stereotypical."
Central Coast News called,
emailed and went by the Templeton Indians main office to get their take on the
Chumash request to change the logo. We
have yet to reach anyone.
The Tribal Council says it will
ask city and county leaders to stop the team from being allowed to use any
public fields to practice or play until it changes the logo.
"They always say they do it to
honor our people but if you want to honor our people, why don't you honor our
wishes?" says Gonzales. "And do away with the logo."
Professional sports teams like the
Cleveland Indians and the Washington Redskins use similar logos that Native
Americans hope will change.
