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A screening and panel discussion of the award-winning documentary, “Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting,” will be held on Thursday, Nov. 2 starting at noon till 3 p.m. at Cal State San Bernardino’s Santos Manuel Student Union Theater in Room 107.

“Imagining the Indian” explores the genesis of the exploitation of Native American culture in competitive sports, including the use of names and logos featuring Indians that have been adopted by teams and franchises with no apparent connection to the tribes and peoples whose cultures they are appropriating.

The film takes a deep dive into the issues through archival footage and interviews with those involved in the fight to eradicate the words, images and gestures that many Native Americans and their allies find demeaning and offensive.

The panelists include:

  • Yancey Burns, co-producer/co-writer of “Imagining the Indian”
  • James Fenelon (D/Lakota), professor and director of the Center for Indigenous Peoples Studies, CSUSB
  • Molly Springer (Cherokee/Osage), associate vice president of student success and educational equity, CSUSB
  • Ben West (Cheyenne), co-director/co-producer/co-writer of “Imagining the Indian”
  • Hannah Kivalahula-Uddin (Puyallup), assistant professor of educational leadership and technology, CSUSB

The program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.

The event is sponsored by CSUSB Libraries, the Native American Heritage Month Planning Committee and the Santos Manuel Student Union.

For more information, contact Robie Madrigal, Pfau Library, at rmadriga@csusb.edu or (909) 537-5104.