Nike, N7 Should Get Off the Sidelines re Redskins Mascot

Nike and its N7 Fund have done some amazing things for Native America.  Yet the biggest sports brand on the planet stands on the sidelines of the "Change the Mascot" movement. It is understandable why some of America's biggest companies--Coca Cola and FedEx to name just two --are sitting out the Redskins mascot controversy. Money.  Big Money.

But unlike those other Fortune 50 companies, Nike has specifically stated a "commitment to bring sport and all of its benefits to Native American and Aboriginal communities in the United States and Canada."  

Of course with that commitment comes business opportunity for Nike, and not merely through the N7 shoes and apparel line.  The much more lucrative play comes through the intangible economic benefits that adorn any well-advertised philanthropic venture like the N7 Fund.

It is rather hypocritical for Nike to "help Native American and Aboriginal youth recognize their proud history," yet sell sports merchandise bearing a logo historically associated with bloody Native American scalps when "in-depth studies that show the harm negative stereotypes and 'Indian' sports mascots have on Native youth."

Nike has thus far largely (but not entirely) ducked the Indian mascot controversy.  That is in part because although national tribal leaders have lambasted the likes of FedEx for not denouncing the Redskins mascot, they have looked past Nike and N7.  Native America has allowed the the world's #1 athletic apparel company to ignore its own social responsibility to denounce racism in professional sports--especially in the form of branded pro sports apparel.

Indeed, without the prominence of Nike and its ever-lasting Swoosh the Redskins mascot might just fade away.

And beyond a Nike pronouncement against the racist Redskins mascot being the proverbial "right thing to do," as sports marketing professionals point out, a new Washington NFL team logo "would be a boon for the National Football League and licensees such as Nike Inc., if previous pro-sports team switches are any indication."

It is time for Nike to walk the walk.  They certainly have the shoes in which to do so.

Gabriel “Gabe” Galanda is the Managing Partner at Galanda Broadman. He is an enrolled member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes of Covelo, California. Gabe can be reached at 206.300.7801 or gabe@galandabroadman.com.

Gabe Galanda Addresses NAFSA Regarding Tribal Online Lending Precautionary Defense Measures

Today, Gabe Galanda addressed the Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA), in a presentation titled, "A Quick History Lesson: Foundational Elements of Tribal Sovereignty, Tribal Self-Governance and the Government to Government Mandate." He delivered his remarks (slides here) at the Tribal Government Online Lending Symposium Presented by the Online Lending Association and NAFSA. Gabe specifically discussed notions of inherent sovereignty and preemptive consultation as means of countervailing federal and state attacks against tribal online lending activities.

Gabriel "Gabe" Galanda is a partner at Galanda Broadman PLLC, of Seattle, an American Indian owned law firm.  He is an enrolled member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes of Covelo, California.  Gabe assists tribal governments and businesses in all matters of tribal economic development and diversification, including entity formation and related tax strategy. He also helps tribes and tribal businesses and joint ventures withstand attack from federal, state and local government. Gabe can be reached at 206.691.3631 or gabe@galandabroadman.com.

Gabe Galanda to Speak to RES 2012 Assembly Twice

Gabe Galanda will be speaking at RES 2012, twice. As featured in this Indian Country Today Media Network article:

“Talking Sports Entertainment: Lessons to Be Learned” will feature Cherokee rapper Litefoot, NFL player Levi Horn, boxer George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah and lawyer/ICTMN columnist Gabriel Galanda.

Gabe will also speak during a breakout session on the "myths and realities" of limited tribal sovereign immunity waiver.

Gabriel "Gabe" Galanda is a partner at Galanda Broadman PLLC, of Seattle, an American Indian owned law firm.  He is an enrolled member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes of Covelo, California.  Gabe helps tribes and Indian small businesses with economic diversification efforts, with an emphasis on minimizing state interference or taxation. Gabe can be reached at 206.691.3631 or gabe@galandabroadman.com.