The Chiefs released a statement on Thursday outlining plans to ban fans from wearing Native American clothing or facepaint.
Official Statement From the Kansas City Chiefs
In 2014, we began a dialogue with a group of local leaders from diverse American Indian backgrounds and experiences. As an organization, our goal was to gain a better understanding of the issues facing American Indian communities in our region and explore opportunities to both raise awareness of American Indian cultures and celebrate the rich traditions of tribes with a historic connection to the Kansas City area.
These meaningful conversations with the American Indian Community Working Group helped us educate ourselves and our fans, and our partnership with these leaders has helped guide our American Indian Heritage Month Games, as well as the ceremonial Blessing of the Drum and the Four Directions of Arrowhead Stadium. Our discussions also led us to discourage fans from wearing ceremonial headdresses and American Indian-themed face paint in our stadium. We are grateful to the members of the working group for their counsel and collaboration, and we look forward to continuing our partnership.
In addition to that ongoing collaboration, we recently expanded our efforts through consultation with a national organization that works closely on issues affecting American Indian people and tribes. Based on those conversations, as well as the work we’ve done alongside the local working group over the past six years, we will be adopting the following measures/policies going forward:
- While we have discouraged fans from wearing headdresses for several years, effective immediately, fans will be prohibited from wearing headdresses into the stadium.
- Face painting is still allowed for all fans, but any face paint that is styled in a way that references or appropriates American Indian cultures and traditions will be prohibited.
- Fans will be asked to remove any American Indian-themed face paint prior to passing security screening outside the stadium.
- We are engaged in a thorough review process of the Arrowhead Chop and plan to have additional discussions in the future.
- We are exploring all options for a modified engagement moment from the Drum Deck that maintains a unifying effect between our fans and our players but better represents the spiritual significance of the drum in American Indian cultures.
- This includes discussions around how to shift the focus of the drum to something that symbolizes the heartbeat of the stadium.
- As allowed by NFL guidelines and the City of Kansas City Health Department for the coronavirus-impacted 2020 season, we will continue with many of the traditions that we have introduced over the past six years, including the Blessing of the Four Directions, the Blessing of the Drum, as well as inviting members of tribes with a historic connection to our region to participate in our American Indian Heritage Month Game.
- Finally, we are exploring the creation of a more formalized education program with input from both our local and national partners.
We are grateful for the meaningful conversations we have had with all of these American Indian leaders. It is important that we continue the dialogue on these significant topics, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future.
Can we just change the name of the Chiefs to the Missouri White Mans…
Us true fans should do what is asked of us. It’s a game, for all of us to enjoy. The more upset some people get, the more we’re letting the politicians win! It’s a game people, a game!
I support the representation of the American Indian culture. I wish the activists would use the opportunity for education and not censorship. We honor Indians with our war chants and imitations. Bring back Warpaint and the spear. Have our Indian heritage perform a native dance pregame. I was always taught that imitation is flattery.
This is stupid I’m Indian and this is dumb I don’t think nothing should be changed and if any other Indian has anything to say about it then they have a problem there is nothing wrong with wearing head dresses and warpaint to a game
Good Im sick of these phony 5 dollar indian colonialist white kids insulting my culture making a mockery of it… Native headdresses and Native face paint should be banned from the games if u aren Native period
Arent*
Do not change a thing. Ask fans and STH ?
Football is supposed to be fun and entertaining.
Who but the left and the no balls commissioner want to change everything.
You take the fun away, you take the fans away. People want to attend the games and have fun and in some cases be silly and dress up. This doesn’t offend anyone!!!
I’ve been a loyal fan for 55 years and know the Chiefs have been supportive of local tribes. Like you said, this is a game and for 60 years these traditions have become the fabric and signature of the team and city. I know many Native Americans in the area and have yet to find one that was offended by anything the Chiefs have done.
This country is so deeply divided politically and sports is the one thing that we all can agree on . The Chiefs and the cities traditions are important to Kansas City. Just like the Cowboys, Giants and Raiders . It’s our identity, and if you can’t understand that, we’ll ,you really don’t understood sports. It’s more than just a game. .