Native American Activists Protest the Kansas City Chiefs on Super Bowl Day

A growing debate pits cultural sensitivity against sports traditions

Activists protest Kansas City Chiefs (@kcindiancenter on instagram)

Native American activists are raising their voices once again to protest the KC Chiefs’ team's name and associated practices. They are up against a powerful cultural narrative that dismisses their concerns as trivial or an overreaction. Critics often argue that the protests are a waste of energy, insisting that the Chiefs’ traditions are harmless and meant to honor Native culture. Even within Native communities, opinions differ—some individuals claim they are not offended by the team name or fan rituals, which complicates the broader conversation.

At the heart of this conversation is the distinction between what is "offensive" and what is "racist." The idea of offense is subjective—what offends one person might not affect another. Racism, however, is rooted in historical patterns and societal structures. It involves recognizing how certain actions, symbols, or practices are connected to a history of discrimination, marginalization, and cultural erasure. Something can be racist even if it is not universally seen as offensive.

Native mascots may not offend every individual, but their roots in cultural appropriation and their association with harmful stereotypes make them inherently problematic. Let’s dig into it.

The Origins of the Kansas City Chiefs Name

The Kansas City Chiefs name traces back to 1963 when the team relocated from Dallas to Kansas City. The name "Chiefs" was chosen in honor of then-mayor Harold Roe Bartle, a white man who claimed to have been inducted into a Native American tribe. Bartle created a Boy Scouts organization called Mic-O-Say, blending fabricated Native-inspired traditions with scouting rituals. This organization, which continues to operate today, has faced criticism from Native American leaders for its inaccurate portrayal of Indigenous culture.

Mic-O-Say ceremonies include the use of faux headdresses, elaborate dances, and the conferring of 'tribal' names to induct new members. Participants often wear face paint, imitate Native chants, and engage in symbolic rituals meant to evoke an imagined version of Indigenous tradition. While these performances are framed as a celebration of Native culture, they borrow heavily from stereotypes rather than authentic practices. They are a fantasy version of Native life created for fun and bonding, not for understanding or respect.

Tribe of Micosay (none of these people are actually Native American, by the way)

According to Gaylene Crouser, executive director of the Kansas City Indian Center and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, such representations contribute to the ongoing marginalization of Native communities. For many, the persistence of these symbols in sports reinforces harmful stereotypes that have roots in early American entertainment.

Stereotypes and Historical Patterns

The Tomahawk Chop, a fan tradition at Chiefs games, is a key example of this issue. The tradition involves fans swinging their arms in a chopping motion while vocalizing a fabricated war chant, supposedly imitating Native American battle cries. This gesture and chant are not only culturally insensitive but also absurdly inaccurate, reducing complex Indigenous cultures to a crude stereotype. The exaggerated war-like imagery perpetuates the false notion that Native Americans are defined by aggression and conflict.

KC Chiefs Fans doing Tomahawk Chop at Arrowhead Stadium

That underlying premise—that Native Americans as a race are inherently warrior-like—can be traced back to popular performances in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Shows. These shows laid the foundation for early Western films, which further solidified these stereotypes and limited the public's understanding of Indigenous cultures.

But this portrayal of Native Americans as fierce and dangerous warriors wasn’t just entertainment; it became a key justification for violent policies and conquest. By framing Indigenous people this way, these depictions made their destruction seem like a fair fight rather than an unjust conquest.

The U.S. military later adopted this narrative, naming helicopters and missiles after tribes like Apache, Lakota, and Cheyenne—suggesting the military inherited the courage and strength of the very people they had subjugated. In reality, Native tribes faced not just weapons but also forced removal, deadly diseases, broken treaties, and relentless expansion under the guise of Manifest Destiny. This propaganda masked the truth: what looked like valor and victory for the U.S. was often little more than exploitation and annihilation.

The psychological impact of these portrayals is well-documented. The American Psychological Association has called for the removal of Native mascots, citing research that shows how these depictions harm Native youth. Exposure to Native mascots has been linked to lower self-esteem and feelings of marginalization among Native children, while simultaneously promoting cultural insensitivity among non-Native youth.

Recent Changes and Ongoing Controversy

In recent years, the Chiefs have taken steps to address some concerns. The team retired its horse mascot, Warpaint, and banned fans from wearing headdresses and Native-inspired face paint inside the stadium. Despite these measures, the team has yet to consider a name change, even as other organizations, such as the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Guardians, have made that transition.

Some supporters of the Chiefs argue that not all Native people are offended by the team’s name or traditions. But this misses the bigger issue of how these symbols are tied to a long history of racism and cultural appropriation. The question goes beyond individual feelings of offense and into understanding the deeper history and harm behind it. And even if offense is the measure, plenty of Native people have clearly spoken out about how hurtful these portrayals are. It’s just easier for the team and its fans to ignore those voices.

The Broader Significance

These protests highlight the ongoing tension between tradition and progress. For activists, the goal is not simply to erase symbols but to encourage a deeper reckoning with the past. The conversation surrounding Native mascots is part of a larger effort to challenge the ways in which Indigenous cultures are represented and commodified in mainstream society.

As the Super Bowl approaches, the protests are a reminder that these issues remain unresolved.

How to Support Native Activists

For those who want to take action and support Native-led efforts to challenge harmful stereotypes and cultural appropriation, there are several organizations and resources that can help.

The Kansas City Indian Center is one of the oldest Native American organizations in the city, offering community services, promoting cultural education, and advocating for justice. KCIC is also a proud member of the Not In Our Honor Coalition (mentioned below), which works to eliminate damaging stereotypes in sports and media. Visit kcindiancenter.org. And you can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates on events and advocacy efforts.

Not In Our Honor is at the forefront of these protests, raising awareness about cultural appropriation in sports. Their website, notinourhonor.com, provides information about their goals, actions, and how you can get involved. You can sign their petition calling on Kansas City’s football team to make meaningful changes and follow their Facebook page for the latest updates.

Not In Our Honor Coalition Truck Protesting in New Orleans (February 2025)

For those wanting to explore the issue more deeply, check out the following resources:

• Podcast: Sometimes It Rains – This podcast offers a valuable perspective from a Kansas City sports fan on cultural appropriation of Native Americans in sports.

• Documentary: Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting – Directed by Ben West (Cheyenne) and Aviva Kempner, this film traces the history of Indigenous imagery in sports and its impact on Native communities. It’s available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

Additional general advocacy and legal support for Native Americans is available through the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) at narf.org. For educational resources and media toolkits, also visit IllumiNative at illuminatives.org, which works to change the narrative about Native peoples and promote accurate representation.

References

• American Psychological Association. APA Resolution Recommending the Immediate Retirement of American Indian Mascots, Symbols, Images, and Personalities by Schools, Colleges, Universities, Athletic Teams, and Organizations. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 2005.

• Suzanne Hogan. “How Did the Kansas City Chiefs Get Their Name? A Fake Tribe, a Fan Contest, and Lamar Hunt.” KCUR. February 6, 2025.

• William Allen. “Surprising Facts about the Chiefs’ Mascot and Why Experts Say It’s a Controversial Figure in Sport.” AS USA. February 9, 2025.

• Ariel Moniz. “Being Native American in a Stereotypical and Appropriated North America.” Hohonu: A Journal of Academic Writing 14 (2016): 40–46. University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.

• Nabb Research Center. “Native American Stereotypes in Early Films.” Nabb Research Center Online Exhibits. Salisbury University, 2015.