Local Native American activists celebrate Washington NFL team’s decision to drop ‘Redskins’ name

Burning sage wafted into the air during a ceremony outside the American Indian Center n Minneapolis after it was announced Monday that Washington’s NFL team will soon stop using the "Redskins" name and mascot.

"People laughed at us saying that it wasn’t important, that there were more important issues,” said Clyde Bellecourt, co-founder of the American Indian Movement. “If we can’t deal with racism, we will never be able to do anything."

For the last 30 years, Bellecourt has been working to get professional teams to change their mascots away from ones with Native American images. The National Coalition against Racism in Sports and Media has also been a part of the push to have teams change their names and mascots.

"All of Native American country, Indian Country is proud today and happy that the Washington team has finally come to a realization that they need to change their name," said David Glass, president National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media based in White Bear Lake.

Washington NFL team to retire ‘Redskins’ nickname, logo

When Washington came to play the Minnesota Vikings in 2014, the same groups led protests in the streets calling for the controversial name to be dropped.

At that rally, U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, a member of the Congressional Native American Caucus, demanded a name change.

"I know how offensive the term is to our native brothers and sisters here in Minnesota, so I’m glad to see it go," McCollum said. “This isn’t honoring, this isn’t the history. This is a silent way of putting a group of our fellow American citizens down."

Bellecourt hopes the momentum from Washington will push other teams to drop Native American mascots.

"It’s been a long struggle, but you know we never give up," Bellecourt said.

Last week, Washington’s club said the decision to find a new name was made in light of recent events in the country.

No timeline was given as to when the name and mascot will officially be dropped.

A replacement name for the NFL club has not been released.