Native Groups Drop Charity Golf Event Over Redskins Link

The nonprofit National Indian Gaming Association pulled support from a weekend golf tournament in Arizona to raise scholarship funds for Native American students because of the involvement of the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation, USA Today writes.

Native American pro golfer Notah Begay III’s foundation also withdrew from the celebrity tournament after learning that Redskins owner Daniel Snyder’s recently launched charity was the title sponsor of the event put on by a local radio station, USA Today also reports.

The gaming association counts 184 Indian nations as members. Its chairman, Ernest Stephens, termed Mr. Snyder’s foundation offering economic support to tribes “a blatant attempt” to blunt criticism of the football team’s nickname, which many Native American and civil rights leaders condemn as racist. Mr. Begay, a four-time PGA Tour winner and television golf analyst, is also a longtime opponent of the Redskins name.