The Atlanta Braves. Kansas City Chiefs. Washington Redskins. Cleveland
Indians. Native American Indian nicknames have been used in sports
for years. So what's wrong?
"In Whose Honor?" takes a critical look at the long-running practice
of "honoring" Native American Indians by using them as mascots and
nicknames in sports. In this moving and award-winning documentary,
Native Americans speak out about the hurtful and harmful effects of
stereotyped sports images on both Natives and non-Natives alike.
The program follows the remarkable story of Charlene Teters, a Spokane
Indian and mother of two, and her impassioned transformation from
a graduate student into a leader of a national movement. Along the
way she is spit upon, threatened, even assaulted, yet she never wavers
in her mission to protect and preserve her cultural identity for her
children. Her commitment earns her enough respect from her community
to be called by some "the Rosa Parks of American Indians."
"In Whose Honor?" examines the issues of racism, stereotypes, and
the powerful effects of mass-media imagery. It captures the passion
and resolve articulated by both sides of this contemporary controversy,
and also shows the extent to which one community, that of Champaign,
Illinois, will go to defend and justify its mascot.
"In Whose Honor?" was written, produced and edited by Jay Rosenstein,
with funding support from The Center For New Television, The Paul
Robeson Fund For Independent Media, and The Illinois Arts Council. It had its national television premiere
on the PBS series "P.O.V". on July 15th, 1997.