Indianapolis Indians will keep team name and partner with local tribe

The Indianapolis Indians, the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, will not change their team’s nickname, the organization announced. The minor-league baseball team also said they will partner with a local Native American tribe.

The 121-year-old club made the announcements in a news release on Wednesday, saying they will partner with the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana.

“The partnership will include a land acknowledgment, recognition of Miami veterans during Native American Heritage Night at Victory Field, support of the Miami scholarship program and fan educational opportunities,” the release said.

The Indians said they would not be changing their name despite mounting pressure at a time of reckoning over racial injustice, iconography and racism in the US.

“The team’s name, which has been the Indianapolis Indians since 1902, will remain the same during the 2023 and 2024 seasons as the organization explores and activates programs with the Miami,” according to the release.

The Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana is one of the 100 largest tribes in the US, the team said. The tribe’s chief, Brian Buchanan, released a statement about the new partnership.

“We are grateful to the Indianapolis Indians for the opportunity to share our story with Hoosiers throughout central Indiana,” Buchanan said. “When the history of Indiana is studied, the major influence of Native American people is seen in the names of Indiana cities, state parks, rivers, food, celebrations and other cultural points of interest. We have encouraged the team to remain the Indianapolis Indians.”

The movement away from Native American nicknames, mascots and logos began in earnest when the NCAA announced in August 2005 that it would ban the use of any images and names deemed racially or ethnically “hostile” or “abusive” from postseason tournaments. It has gained steam in recent years with the push for social justice reform in America.

The NFL’s Washington franchise announced it would drop its longtime Redskins nickname, while Major League Baseball’s Cleveland team changed from Indians to Guardians.

The Indianapolis Indians first announced they would form a committe to conisder a name change in 2020, issuing a two-paragraph statement that said the name is derived from Indiana, which translates to “land of the Indians,” and Indianapolis, which the team said translates to “city of Indians”.

“We understand that our team name has not been endorsed by some but trust they understand the historic and respectful context in which it has been used over the years,” the statement read. “We are committed to engage, listen and exchange ideas.”