Tribal Chief’s Family Urges Return of Logo
Supporters of the Washington Commanders are feeling more optimistic thanks to the family of the tribal chief that inspired the team’s former name and logo. The team had altered its identity in July 2020 after activists raised concerns about its name’s racial implications, briefly becoming the “Washington Football Team” before rebranding again in 2022.
Thomas White Calf, a descendant of the chief known as Two Guns White Calf, expressed dissatisfaction over how his uncle’s legacy was removed. He emphasized that the history of his uncle must not be forgotten. “His life story was erased from history. What’s worse, the two-gun uncle was dehumanized,” he remarked.
White Calf also noted that his uncle, a Blackfeet tribe leader, defended tribal traditions in Montana, and his contributions to American history deserve recognition. “He went to Washington, D.C., where he was forced to honor the Indian treaty to the U.S. government,” he explained. His likeness even appeared on a famous 1913 nickel. “The two-gun White Calf face remains a collector’s item,” he added, with a hint of pride.
Additionally, he shared that Two Guns White Calf had connections with prominent figures like Teddy Roosevelt Jr. and even made President Calvin Coolidge an honorary member of the Blackfeet Nation. His passing in 1934 had graced the headlines.
White Calf criticized contemporary movements aimed at removing representations of Indigenous peoples in sports, framing them as misguided efforts to sanitize public imagery. He voiced gratitude towards former President Donald Trump for encouraging the team to reconsider their name.
“We ask that we never erase, dehumanize, or forget American Indians,” he implored, reflecting a desire for respect and acknowledgment. He concluded, “God blesses Blackfeet. God blesses President Trump. And God blesses the United States of America.”
The conversation around the mascot was reignited recently when linebacker Von Miller referred to the team by its previous name during his introduction. “The Washington Redskins called me a month and a half ago, started talking, and I’m excited to be here,” he said, which drew attention and some controversy.
