Navajo Leader Retracts 'Code Talkers' As Replacement For Redskins

ARIZONA — During World War II, members of the Navajo and other Native American tribes used their languages to send coded messages for the U.S. military. On Monday, the heroic legacy of those code talkers was briefly raised — and then retracted — as a possible replacement for the name that for 87 years served as the name for the NFL team in Washington, D.C.

After the team's announcement, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez tweeted a statement marking the occasion, which he called "a historic day for all Indigenous peoples."

"This change did not come about willingly by the team’s owners, but by the mounting pressure and advocacy of Indigenous peoples such as Amanda Blackhorse," the statement continued, referring to an Arizona resident and Navajo who sued to revoke trademarks for the team's now-retired nickname.

The statement, which was attributed to Nez and Navajo vice president Myron Lizer, then pivoted to a suggestion for a new team name. It would prove controversial.

"We strongly encourage the NFL Washington organization to rename their team in such a way that truly honors and respects the First Americans in this country," it argued. "Renaming the team 'Code Talkers' to honor the Navajo Code talkers, and other tribal nations who used their sacred language to help win World War II, would set the team on a path to restoring its reputation and correcting the hist historical misrepresentation of Indigenous peoples."

But later that afternoon, Nez tweeted a follow-up statement that walked back his previous encouragement. Nez cited feedback conveying "disappointment and disagreement" from Navajo people in response to the suggestion.

"The Navajo Nation, under this administration, will not pursue the renaming of the Washington NFL team after the Code Talkers," the updated statement read. "I strongly agree that our Indigenous people should not be used as mascots."

The retraction underscores the complexity in the way that Native American tribes relate to native imagery and sports teams. At Red Mesa High School, located in the Navajo Nation in northwest corner of Arizona, the football team continues to play using the name Redskins.

The school has not released any public statement or reaction to the changing of the Washington NFL team's name. The school's website states, " We are proud of our ancestry; we are proud of who we are; and we are proud to be the home of the Redskins."

Read also: Fan Favorite To Replace Redskins Name Has Trademark Claim