Chiefs of Tribal Nations Say Braves' Tomahawk Chop is 'Inappropriate'
By Michael Luciano
The ongoing debate over the use of Native American imagery in major sports is now focusing squarely on the Atlanta Braves and the use of their "Tomahawk Chop," which was borrowed from Florida State University when former Seminoles star Deion Sanders signed with the Braves in 1991.
The Braves recently made adjustments to the chant after complains from Native American St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley. Chuck Hoskin Jr., the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, baked up Helsley and condemned the chant.
Chiefs of Georgia native tribes call tomahawk chop ‘inappropriate: https://t.co/3gk2FcEvgg pic.twitter.com/QgVQVdMyBc
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 14, 2019
“The Cherokee Nation is proud of tribal citizen and Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley for speaking out against stereotypes and standing up for the dignity of Native Americans in this country," Hoskin said. "Hopefully Ryan’s actions will better inform the national conversation about inappropriate depictions of Native Americans.”
The chop may be revered in Braves country, but more and more Native American voices decrying the chant as racist or a reductive stereotype are being heard-- and that could lead to the chant being banned altogether.
The Atlanta @Braves front office says it will hold talks with Native Americans during the offseason in deciding whether to keep or axe the 27-year-old tomahawk chop tradition. https://t.co/9sdhdlBQzM
— AJC (@ajc) October 15, 2019
The Braves have already shown a willingness to move away from any depictions of Native American individuals in their team logos and merchandise -- which they did not do during their previous stay in Milwaukee -- so it may be that getting rid of the chop ends up being the club's next logical step.