Redskins' Dan Snyder Announces Creation of Foundation to Help Native Americans

[RedskinRat]

Redskins' Dan Snyder Announces Creation of Foundation to Help Native Americans

It's no secret—the Washington Redskins' nickname is controversial.
But in a letter sent to the team's fans, via Redskins.com, owner Dan Snyder wrote that Native American communities "face much harsher, much more alarming realities," claiming that "our team's name" is not one of the issues.
As a result, he is creating the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation, with the mission statement of the group reading as follows:

The mission of the Original Americans Foundation is to provide meaningful and measurable
resources that provide genuine opportunities for Tribal communities. With open arms and determined minds, we will work as partners to begin to tackle the troubling realities facing so many tribes across our country. Our efforts will address the urgent challenges plaguing Indian country based on what Tribal leaders tell us they need most. We may have created this new organization, but the direction of the Foundation is truly theirs.

Good move.

[44Deezel]

Here we go. Yes, it's a PR move and yes, it will actually do some good. Doesn't have to be an either/or thing.

The other side is going to crush Dan Snyder for this, but at the end of the day, what are they doing to help the real causes of American Indians? Not a damn thing.

[takethecake]

Originally Posted by 44Deezel

Here we go. Yes, it's a PR move and yes, it will actually do some good. Doesn't have to be an either/or thing.

The other side is going to crush Dan Snyder for this, but at the end of the day, what are they doing to help the real causes of American Indians? Not a damn thing.

My thoughts exactly. Can't wait to hear the media spin on this...

[skinsfan69]

Just tell the people that you're not changing the name and if they don't like it, tough. This fake PR stunt really isn't going to change anything.

[SFREDSKIN]

Kudos to Dan!!

[ICantGoAnother20yrsOfCrap]

The media won't care. They'll just call him a hypocrite. This is one of their "pet crusades," and they're not going to give it up. If Snyder can keep this up and keep the name/trademark, then awesome, but the bleeding hearts of ESPN, Bob Costas, etc. won't give this up. I don't think the name will change anytime soon but if/when the trademark is revoked or Snyder sells, I fear the name will change.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Just tell the people that you're not changing the name and if they don't like it, tough. This fake PR stunt really isn't going to change anything.

If it is JUST a PR stunt it will backfire quickly, however, if he and the Redskins organization does what he outlines, and invests in the tribes across the country then I imagine they would be strong allies in shutting down the few who keep the name in the news.

Regardless, this sounds like a very positive move and I hope hundreds, thousands, or more who are suffering find help they need from this foundation.

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

If it is JUST a PR stunt it will backfire quickly, however, if he and the Redskins organization does what he outlines, and invests in the tribes across the country then I imagine they would be strong allies in shutting down the few who keep the name in the news.

It won't matter what he does. They'll continue to beat him down until he cries uncle. They feed off of negativity so that's what they'll write about.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

If it is JUST a PR stunt it will backfire quickly, however, if he and the Redskins organization does what he outlines, and invests in the tribes across the country then I imagine they would be strong allies in shutting down the few who keep the name in the news.

Regardless, this sounds like a very positive move and I hope hundreds, thousands, or more who are suffering find help they need from this foundation.

Whether it is or it isn't, Snyder should come out and talk about it, not the PR guy, or Bruce Allen. Just say something sincere. Writing out a statement and saying, "Indians have more important issues to worry about then the Redskins name" is a very weak back handed comment. He may mean well, but come out, quit hiding and talk in front of some cameras. Let people see your expressions and your real emotions and he might win some people over. But it's always some BS, corporate statement, or management that talks for him.

[mooby]

Hopefully this is more than a pr move, it's also a move that should've been done a long time ago. I really for DS's sake this is one of those charities where the majority of funds are actually spent on charityinstead of on the organization itself. This won't settle the argument by a long shot, but it will definitely help the cause.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

This is something that Snyder and Co. should have done years ago, because after all the publicity over the controversy lately I think this may be considered too little too late by most.
Having said that, it's hard to argue with real results so we'll see...

[BringBackJoeT]

Originally Posted by ArtMonkDrillz

This is something that Snyder and Co. should have done years ago, because after all the publicity over the controversy lately I think this may be considered too little too late by most.
Having said that, it's hard to argue with real results so we'll see...

Completely agree. Whether it would have been grounded in crass PR interests or legitimate concern for Native Americans, there was an easy way to have stayed ahead of this story before opposition snowballed in the way it has over the last year or two--it's not as if this opposition only recently developed its existence.

[MTK]

I think it's a little cynical to blow it off as purely a PR move. If something positive can come from this name debate issue, that's a good thing regardless.

[Lotus]

I'd like to know about the structure of the organization. Are native people identifying problems and implementing solutions? Or is this a bunch of white folks yet again telling Indians what to do?

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Lotus

I'd like to know about the structure of the organization. Are native people identifying problems and implementing solutions? Or is this a bunch of white folks yet again telling Indians what to do?

From Dan Snyder's letter:

The mission of the Original Americans Foundation is to provide meaningful and measurable resources that provide genuine opportunities for Tribal communities. With open arms and determined minds, we will work as partners to begin to tackle the troubling realities facing so many tribes across our country. Our efforts will address the urgent challenges plaguing Indian country based on what Tribal leaders tell us they need most. We may have created this new organization, but the direction of the Foundation is truly theirs

and

Because I’m so serious about the importance of this cause, I began our efforts quietly and respectfully, away from the spotlight, to learn and take direction from the Tribal leaders themselves. In addition to travelling and meeting in-person with Tribal communities, we took a survey of tribes across 100 reservations so that we could have an accurate assessment of the most pressing needs in each community