The Washington Redskins have egg on their face today after Ryman LeBeau, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux council, revealed that his tribe's leaders will be rejecting a check for $25,000 made out by the Washington Redskins' organization to help Native Americans, called the Original Americans Foundation.
The council will not only be turning down the money offered them, but will "cease all unsanctioned communication with the Washington Redskins and any group or person associated with them."
Redskins legends think the team's name is offensive
The paltry offering, and foundation itself, has come under criticism as a thinly-veiled attempt to use cash to quell Native Americans' vast discontent with the team's continued use of the moniker "Redskins," a term considered very derogatory by many Native Americans.
LeBeau posted an image of the $25,000 check and wrote above it, "Sold our souls. Price was cheap."
Daniel Snyder vows to "never" change the team's name
Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has steadfastly refused to change the team's name, even in the face of several attempts to strip the franchise of its trademark on the nickname. Snyder has repeatedly argued that the name honors Native Americans instead of disparaging them.
"They love this team," Snyder said almost exactly one year ago. "They actually have a tremendous amount of fans on reservations, not only for our team but for many teams that have Native American imagery: the Atlanta Braves, the Kansas City Chiefs, the (Chicago) Blackhawks. They really, really are proud of these teams, and I learned more of the truth.
"It's honor, it's respect, it's pride, and I think that every player here sees it, feels it. Every alumni feels it. It's a wonderful thing. It's a historical thing. This is a very historical franchise."
Snyder's response is quite tone deaf, as proven by this meager offering to the Cheyenne River Sioux, and has been met with nearly universal praise per The Washington Post. However, that's not always the case.
In other instances rifts have been ripped open by some members of tribes who are willing to deal with the Redskins, and do not feel as if their moniker is a big deal.
The Original Americans Foundation is spending "millions of dollars on nearly 250 projects with more than 50 federally recognized tribes," but so far their financial activities remain undisclosed.
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