Elyse Morneau '23
In August of 2021, the National Hockey League announced that starting with the 2022-23 season, teams could put one small advertisement patch on their jerseys as a way to generate hockey-related revenue. While some teams opted to be sponsored by businesses such as banks and sports-betting companies, the Seattle Kraken took a different approach for their ad patch. In February of 2023, the Kraken organization announced that in the 2023-24 season, they would be partnering with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe for their first jersey patch.
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is part of the Native Coast Salish peoples of the Pacific Northwest. Today, their population is slightly over 3,000 people and they mostly live in the Muckleshoot Reservation in Auburn, Washington, which is roughly 35 miles southeast of Seattle.
Online, many Kraken fans expressed their support of this partnership, which was slightly unexpected considering Native Americans have long been a subject of controversy in professional sports. Native Americans themselves are not controversial but the use of their culture as branding for certain sports organizations is widely viewed as problematic.
Perhaps you have heard of the Washington Redskins or the Cleveland Indians, who are now named the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Guardians, respectively. Maybe while watching a Kansas City Chiefs game or an Atlanta Braves game, you have heard the fans doing a “chant” while making a chop motion with their arms. Naturally, many Native Americans view these “traditions” as disrespectful and offensive.
In the wake of national protests against racism during the summer of 2020, many of these organizations were called out for using Indigenous culture for their branding. In response, some teams such as the aforementioned Redskins and Indians, retired their politically incorrect names and rebranded.
Other organizations such as the Atlanta Braves, decided to take action by meeting with Indigenous rights organizations regarding how to better honor Native American cultures.
One professional athlete in particular feels strongly on this issue. Ryan Helsley, a member of Cherokee Nation, has become one of the top relief pitchers in Major League Baseball. Many young Cherokees look up to Helsley. Not only can he throw a baseball over 100 miles per hour, but he also publicly advocates for Indigenous peoples in sports. He is proud of his heritage and wants to be able to play the game of baseball without having to deal with racism from fans and entire organizations. He expressed his discomfort with the Atlanta Braves fans’ tomahawk chop, and as a result, the Braves stopped handing out foam tomahawks at their games.
Although this is a step in the right direction, it does not feel like nearly enough.
It is one thing to be respectful toward Native American people. However, it means so much more to make them feel welcome and included in sports.
That is what makes this move by the Seattle Kraken so special. They want everyone to see that they stand with the people who came before them. They want to increase awareness about indigenous people in their community . They want to highlight the people who are so integral to Seattle’s history. Most of all, they want to show that Native Americans are welcome in sports.
It is no secret that honoring the Muckleshoots is extremely important to the Seattle Kraken organization. From the team’s founding in 2021, the tribe and the organization have worked together to create a respectful, inclusive environment.
Before building Climate Pledge Arena (the Kraken’s home ice), the organization reached out to the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to bless the land where the stadium would be built. During each game, there is a land acknowledgement statement read after the players go out on the ice for warmups. The Kraken powerplay is sponsored by the Muckleshoot Casino.
No one is forcing the Seattle Kraken to honor Native Americans. They do not have a controversial racist name or mascot, nor do their fans perform a problematic gesture causing them to get called out. After all, the team was founded only two years ago and their mascot, a kraken, is literally a mythical octopus. This organization chose to empower Indigenous people because it is simply the right thing to do.
In my opinion, sports should be a safe space for everyone regardless of their background. Sports are supposed to be fun and uplifting. The Seattle Kraken clearly understands this, which is definitely a step in the right direction.