Native American Motifs

The Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since their establishment in 1901, the Indians have won two World Series championships, in 1920 and 1948.

The "Indians" name originates from a request by the club owner to decide a new name, following the 1914 season. In reference to the Boston Braves, the media chose "the Indians". They are nicknamed "the Tribe" and "the Wahoos". The latter is a reference to the mascot which appears in the team's logos, Chief Wahoo.

The Cleveland team originated in 1900 as the Lake Shores, when the American League (AL) was officially a minor league. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the major league incarnation of the club was founded in Cleveland in 1901.

Logo history

The team has held a series of primary logos since 1915 as well as logos for events, stadiums, caps, championships and uniforms.

1915-1920

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1921-1927

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1928

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1929-1932

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1933-1945

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1946-1950

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1946-1950

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1988-Present

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Current logo

The team has had a series of logo designs since the1915. Firstly, the logo used a typographic style to represent the City of Cleveland until the now famous cartoon of a Native American Indian called Chief Wahoo. The current logo is an evolution of this character throughout the history. The first Chief Wahoo be was a serious character illustration. Then the character was evolving until something funnier and cartoonish. It is the head of a Native smiling with a traditional feather in his head. The logo hasn’t any typeface and is presented with the trademark symbol. Since 2002 uses a strong and bold stroke around.

The mascot has been accused of reinforcing negative stereotypes about Native Americans, similar to previously discarded mascots. The expression "Wahoo," as a loud yell, can be interpreted in various ways.

The character's initial incarnation made its first appearance as a shoulder patch on Cleveland uniforms in 1947. According to polling results published in Sport Illustrated, "Although most Native American activists and tribal leaders consider Indian team names and mascots offensive, neither Native Americans in general nor a cross section of U.S. sports fans agree. 2008, Major League Baseball introduced special caps with each team's cap logo woven into the "Stars and Stripes" that were worn during major American holidays. The Indians cap with Chief Wahoo emblazoned in stars and stripes caused some controversy. As a result, in 2009 MLB redesigned the Indians "Stars and Stripes" cap with a "C" logo replacing Chief Wahoo.

I consider the logo as a friendly figure and not an offensive cartoon. However, themes related with religion, cultural believes and strong traditions will always generate controversy. The logo is already an icon for the team, the fans and the City of Cleveland. It was made for the entertainment of their team fans and to create a link between them. Its use for entertainment and visual identity purposes but for sure is going to cause more discussion in the future because always will be someone who consider the logo offensive, demeaning, or racist.

Sources list

Pictures:

http://www.sportslogos.net/team.php?id=57

Information:

Chief Wahoo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Wahoo

Clevelands Indians http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Indians

Controversy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_mascot_controversy