Obama on Mascots: ‘We Have ... Break Stereotypes … that Includes Our Sports Teams’

BARACK OBAMA: 

“Even as we prepare our tribal youth to succeed in 21st century, we also have to preserve and protect native culture and heritage. As I said before, if you start losing your language and culture, your sense of connection to your ancestors and touchstones that date back generations, you can start feeling adrift. If you live in a society that devalues your culture, or perpetuates stereotypes, you may be devaluing yourself. 

So, we have to preserve those bonds and break stereotypes. I believe that includes our sports teams, because we all need to do more to make sure — (Applause) — we need to make sure that our young people feel supported and respected, and that’s really what this tribal nation conference is about, extraordinary young people representing the promise of not just their tribes or Indian country but of the United States. 

Because ultimately, we are one family and these kids are our kids. They deserve to be cared, and loved and nurtured and given a shot at opportunity. And if we do our part, there is no limit to what they can achieve because they have extraordinary talent and extraordinary resilience. I could not be prouder of them. So with that, I’m going to sit back down and let’s start our conversation, OK?”