Not Your Mascots, a 501(c)3 organization, is excited to announce its emergence as a newly formed non-profit that is dedicated to addressing the misappropriation of Indigenous identity and imagery through education, advocacy, and media outreach efforts to provide comprehensive solutions that will end the use of harmful native mascots and stereotypes. Not Your Mascots recognizes the need for cooperation and unity between educational institutions, the media, and the general public in the creation of a future in which society will be free of the harms of Native objectification. Not Your Mascots Board Members will be present at the rally and march to the Vikings vs. Washington game on Sunday, November 2, 2014 at TCF Stadium in Minnesota to protest the racially degrading name of the Washington football team. We are asserting our identity as Native Peoples. We are human beings, not mascots.

Native mascots perpetuate social injustice, reinforce stereotypes, and lead to discrimination and disregard of Indigenous peoples in America and globally.

Not Your Mascots endorses and will participate at the #NotYourMascot and the No Honor in Racism marches.

Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Dakota (Sioux), Oneida, Mohican, Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, and many other Tribes for a total of 22 Sovereign Nations will participate in the rally and lend their voices to the decades-long fight to #ChangeTheName.

We would like to encourage support for our national tribal members' ability to attend with transportation costs, and lodging if able. Donations can be made at the following: www.fundrazr.com/campaigns/8rsyc/ab/61dDi2 | www.indiegogo.com/projects/flight-for-fight

Marches commence at 9:00am

Two marches will take place:

* American Indian OIC: 8:30am, march beginning at 9am.1845 E Franklin Ave., Minneapolis.

* Northrop Auditorium, University of Minnesota: 9am, march beginning at 9:30am. 84 Church St SE, Minneapolis.

Both marches will converge and become a unified force for a rally at TCF Stadium, 10:00am

Guest speakers include Amanda Blackhorse, Winona LaDuke, Billy Mills, Clyde Bellecourt, Patricia Shepard, and many more. Not Your Mascots Board Members Tara Houska and Sarah LittleRedfeather will be participating in the event.

Dancers, drums, and performers throughout the event and concert to follow at Northrop Auditorium, 12pm, including:

Gretchen Morris – Hoop Dancer

Mic Jordan – Hip Hop Artist

Ringing Shield – Drum Group

SOUP JUICE – Comedian

Tall Paul – Hip Hop Artist

Events Supported by:

AIM Patrol of Minneapolis

AIM of Twin Cities

Ho-Chunk Nation

IdleNoMore Twin Cities

IdleNoMore Wisconsin

Institute for Critical Animal Studies, North America

March Against Corruption

Minnesota Two Spirit Society

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe

The National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media

Not Your Mascots

OccupyMN

Protect Our Manoomin

Save The Kids Augsburg College

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

Twin Cities Save the Kids

United Urban Warrior Society

Wisconsin Indian Mascot and Logo Task Force

Bittersweet Winds