illuminative

“There’s been a really steady hum of talent that’s been developing on these alternative platforms like YouTube for some time,” said Jessica McEver, a member of the Cherokee Nation and director of pop culture and media at IllumiNative, a national organization that works to increase representation and opportunities for Native American talent.

That statement garnered criticism from the Native American Guardians Association - and praise from IllumiNative and the National Congress of American Indians, which said it wrote to the team in response to the renewed use of the old name to reiterate its opposition to Native mascots and imagery.

Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of the Native American-led nonprofit IllumiNative, said she was shocked, disgusted and stunned to hear the old name spoken again openly by team officials.

That statement garnered criticism from the Native American Guardians Association — and praise from IllumiNative and the National Congress of American Indians, which said it wrote to the team in response to the renewed use of the old name to reiterate its opposition to Native mascots and imagery.

Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of the Native American-led nonprofit IllumiNative, said she was shocked, disgusted and stunned to hear the old name spoken again openly by team officials.