A Seminole Nation tribal member says the Seminole Chieftain mascot is a “slap in the face” to Native Americans and he wants the City of Seminole to remove the Chieftain logo and name from all city-owned property.

Redbear Williams on Thursday emailed Seminole Mayor Jeff Griffin, stating that the Seminole Nation had passed a resolution condemning the use of Indian mascots by sports teams, and he wants to discuss the local removal of such imagery.

“My name is Redbear Williams and I am a Tribal Member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and a member of the American Indian Movement of Oklahoma. The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma has passed a resolution, TR 2013-121, condemning the use of ALL American Indian sports team mascots. We would like to discuss the removal of the ‘Chieftain’ logo and also the removal of the `Chieftain’ name,” Williams wrote.

Williams added that there are “many studies” that prove such images negatively affect Native children and included a copy of the nation’s resolution in his email to Griffin.

“According to the results of academic research and essays, the use of American Indian mascots, images, and religious symbols is harmful to all children, and is discriminatory to Native cultures, Native imagery, and violates religious icons,” the resolution states.

Redbear also included a quote in his email that he attributed to Lewis Johnson, Assistant Chief of the Seminole Nation.

“I believe the Tribal Resolution is self-explanatory and states in plain language where the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma most certainly stands in regards to all learning institutions who portray Native American (Indian) people as their team and or school mascot, which would include secondary and post-secondary educational institutions as well as any and all professional sport teams as well. It is the duty of the Executive Branch of the Seminole Nation to execute and support the legislative actions within approved tribal resolutions or ordinances passed by the governing body (General Council) of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma,” Johnson said, according to Williams.

(Note: The Producer attempted to reach Williams by phone Friday afternoon, but our attempts were unsuccessful as of press time).

Griffin responded with a letter stating that the issue should be taken up with the Seminole Public School Board, and if the board decided to make any changes, the city council would visit the issue.

“I appreciate your email regarding American Indian mascots. I believe we are in a time where all of us are grappling with ways to be more receptive in understanding the perceptions and realities of treatment of other people,” Griffin wrote.

Griffin added that while he might think that a decorated Chieftain logo might be an honor, others might feel that this is somehow disparaging.

“It appears you might have research to support your assertion. The City of Seminole has a proud heritage of being inclusive and promoting diversity. In fact, I would go so far as to say that we were diverse before the diversity movement was cool,” Griffin stated. In his letter, Griffin said that the Seminole City Council includes tribal members, and he doesn’t recall the mascot ever an issue.

Griffin wrote that if the local school board should ever take action to renounce the Chieftain mascot, he would “immediately” place the issue on a City of Seminole City Council agenda to officially recognize the school’s change.

“If and when this should happen, the city will make an effort to remove abandoned logos as funds come available. Or in the alternative, accept assistance from the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma to immediately remove the logos which our valued tribal partners find distasteful,” Griffin added.

“I want to thank you for bringing this issue to the forefront. Our community depends upon our tribal members to be happy productive members of our family. If we can take actions which can contribute to benefit the whole, I am certain the city council will consider those actions,” Griffin wrote.

According to Facebook, an event titled “Removal of Seminole Racist Mascot” has been organized and scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27 beginning at 2 p.m. at Boomtown Park in Seminole. As of press time Friday, three people had RSVP’d for the event.