Blackhawks ban headdresses from home games, team events

The Chicago Blackhawks will no longer permit fans to wear headdresses at team events or the United Center, the team announced Wednesday.

"As we prepare to return to play and represent you in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers in Edmonton, we want our fans to be very clear on what it means to be part of the Blackhawks family, regardless of whether we can be together in the arena. We have always maintained an expectation that our fans uphold an atmosphere of respect, and after extensive and meaningful conversations with our Native American Parters, we have decided to formalize those expectations," the statement read.

"Moving forward, headdresses will be prohibited for fans entering Blackhawks-sanctioned events or the United Center when Blackhawks home games resume. These symbols are sacred, traditionally reserved for leaders who have earned a place of great respect in their Tribe, and should not be generalized or used as a costume or for every day wear."

The Blackhawks released a statement earlier in July regarding their team name and logo, stating the organization will keep their name, but make a concerted effort to "expand awareness" toward the contributions of Native Americans.

Chicago has worn numerous variations of the same logo since the club's inception in 1926. The name was tweaked from "Black Hawks" to its current form in 1986.

The NFL's Washington Football Team and CFL's Edmonton Football Team recently announced they'd undergo name changes after previously sporting monikers offensive to Indigenous people. The MLB's Cleveland Indians have stated they're open to discussing a name change as well, but haven't done so to this point.

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