I am Mohawk. Here is a thread on why today's @NFL #SuperBowl between the @Chiefs and @Buccaneers is problematic & #NativeAmerican #CulturalAppropriation.

Since last year, I have dubbed the KC Chiefs' involvement as the #AppropriationBowl.

#SuperBowl2021 #SuperBowlSunday

As I explained last year in an article before I even knew the @Chiefs were going to the 2020 #Superbowl :

The Chiefs are not honoring Native people.

I'll explain in this #Thread.

The Kansas City Chiefs have ZERO origins to naming themselves after Native Americans.

In fact, the @Chiefs got their name from former Kansas City Mayor Harold Roe Bartle, a non-Native man who formed the fake American Indian Boy Scout tribe, the Mic-O-Say.

His nickname? "Chief."

Bartle loved playing "Native" and brought his aspirations to the @BoyScouts and created the fake "Tribe of Mic-O-Say."

He wore headdresses and created the "Bartle Scout Reservation" for scouts that still exists today.

His nickname Chief was the inspiration for the KC @Chiefs.

The Mic-O-Say became wildly popular and increased camp attendance in scout summer camps by young men who wished to incorporate Native American traditions into their scout activities. In 1928, Bartle was named the Scout Executive of the Kansas City area council.

These Mic-O-Say gatherings were so successful, other fake "American Indian" gatherings for scouts popped up all over the country.

Bartle -- a non-Native man who dressed up as a fake "American Indian" -- starting eyeing the Dallas Texans ... The team that would be named @Chiefs.

Bartle, a non-Native man, known in his circles as ‘Chief’ & mayor of Kansas City, for two terms -- persuaded Lamar Hunt, the owner of the Dallas Texans to bring his team to KC in 1962.

Bartle, w/ his "American Indian" costumes and nickname was the name behind @Chiefs

#SuperBowl

The @Chiefs got their name from a non-Native man who created a fake American Indian Boy Scout tribe that still thrives in its cultural appropriation today.

My article: "How the Kansas City Chiefs got their name and the Boy Scout Tribe of Mic-O-Say" https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/how-the-kansas-city-chiefs-got-their-name-and-the-boy-scout-tribe-of-mic-o-say-rKgOKV-x5E6z5GQAUoxxUA

So what do I as a Native man do? I ask that we spread awareness. Share our information, share our concerns.

If you support the @Chiefs, I support your right to do so.

But I ask that you not argue with me to change my position. Or tell me I should not be offended and be honored.

I also support the @NFL players who have worked very hard to achieve their levels of athleticism.

But I think of my grandmother, who was so afraid to be Mohawk, she never said a word in her language to me. Lest I also be stolen away to boarding school.

I only ask for respect.

So all said about the 2021 #Superbowl #AppropriationBowl

People tell me to "Get Over It" or "Move On" but it isn't just about the team name. It is the sweeping approval from the @NFL these stereotypes, Tomahawk Chops, and more at games.

#NoIWontJustMoveOn @Chiefs #SuperBowl2021

Some of my tweets I used again.

Which as a matter of fact is an unfortunate thing. Because #CulturalAppropriation or negative things that can be changed with maturity -- are at a standstill.

People say I should be honored by the @Chiefs for upholding Native traditions.

I disagree. The team owner Lamar Hunt posed for an IG photo wearing a fake headdress celebrating his son being elected "Cherokee Chief" at a Christian Camp.

This speaks volumes.

And for the record. I won't be watching the #SuperBowl - which I have dubbed the #AppropriationBowl.

You can read my further thoughts and more in-depth story of my grandmother (my hero) on my website:

"Why as a Native American journalist, I am calling the Super Bowl the #AppropriationBowl."

#SuperBowlLV #SuperBowl #SuperBowl2021
@Chiefs @Buccaneers

http://vincentschilling.com/1/post/2021/02/why-as-a-native-american-journalist-i-am-calling-the-super-bowl-the-appropriationbowl.html