Recently, several sports teams across the nation that were previously named after indigenous groups have changed their name and branding, including the Washington Redskins changing to the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Indians changing to the Cleveland Guardians. But the Indianapolis Indians of minor league baseball won’t be changing their name.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Indianapolis Indians announced that they will be keeping the name they’ve had since 1902 and have entered a partnership with the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana, who encouraged them to keep the name.
“We are grateful to the Indianapolis Indians for the opportunity to share our story with Hoosiers throughout central Indiana,” Brian Buchanan, Chief of the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana, said in the announcement. “When the history of Indiana is studied, the major influence of Native American people is seen in the names of Indiana cities, state parks, rivers, food, celebrations and other cultural points of interest. We have encouraged the team to remain the Indianapolis Indians.”
The team said that the new partnership will include a land acknowledgment, recognition of Miami veterans during Native American Heritage Night at the team’s stadium, support of the Miami scholarship program, and fan educational opportunities.
