why do some teams disrespect the native american culture and dont find it disrespectful?

There was a survey of tribally registered Native Americans by Sports Illustrated, as to how many are offended by sports names etc.

Turned out about 25% were offended, 25% thought it was cool, an honor, etc, and 50% don't care one way or the other, feeling that there are more pressing problems among the people.

Also, about the word "Indian" ... I believe in referring to people by the term they refer to themselves (with certain exceptiopns such s the N word for blacks) as I believe that every people has a right to name themselves. And I've heard lots of Indians or (Native Americans if you prefer) refer to themselves as Indians, in fact this seems to be more common to call oneself Indian. Native American is a political designation, while Indian is cultural, if that makes any sense. In fact some Indians don't like the term Native American as it sounds stilted and fake, and they were here before there ever was a political entity known as America. To use one's own tribal name* is preferred, or else Indian.

I have some Indian heritage myself, as I've learned to say, since I've been told that saying you're "part Indian" is not acceptable in some places, and I prefer to say it that way because it is more accurate. As an Aspie, I love accuracy!

*Many commonly used tribal names do not belong to the people it names, instead that name was assigned by neighboring tribes and often has derogatory meanings in the language of the neighboring tribe. For example, "Sioux" means "enemy" in the language of a neighboring tribe, etc. So it is better to say "Lakota", "Dineh", etc.

The circle also represents a way of thinking. Non-Indian cultures of the west think in a line; while indigenous peoples think in a circle. Linear thinkers vs. circular thinkers approach problems in a completely different manner and often come to entirely different solutions. In our Cherokee tradition, the circle represents four sacred directions (we also have three more). For women, the circle represents life and the womb. A woman's circle of power is her skirt. Since women were the center of life in Cherokee society, everything else revolved around her in concentric circles. The woman held the house, children, fields, and towns. The men protected the towns and the hunting areas around them. The circle also holds seven sacred woods from which we built our sacred fire. First fire was brought to us in a circular bowl on the back of grandmother spider. The imagery of the circle is interwoven throughout our culture and traditions. It is inclusive, as opposed to exclusive. We live in a circle, dance in a circle, celebrate the past and the future as the circle, and enjoy being part of a community circle. In contrast, non-Indians live in a linear fashion, think in a linear fashion, compartmentalizing their relationships, family, spirituality, work, etc., into separate facets of their lives. Indigenous people are unable to separate their lives into portions or facets because every element of their lives are imbued with the circle and their place in it.

No I don't and I am native american.

I consider it a honor. They honor us by wanting to name their school after us. What about a school that carries a presidents name that is a dishonor? or a presidential library. did the president say "well that is making fun of me?"

Don't look for ways to get hurt. Pick your battles and that just makes you sound petty. View it as an honor and it will be.

They don't mean it as anything less.

Would they call a team the fighting muslims? Or islamic terriorists? What about the team the mighty ducks.

Was that against ducks? Grow up.

Ignorance? Because I didn't know that they thought their symbols were being used disrespectfully. If anything, I thought it would be showing honor to them because they are very proud of their mascots, etc. ???

OMG I totally agree with you!

It always makes me cringe when Americans refer to Native Americans as "Indians."

How ignorant can you get?!?

I honestly don't think they realize they are doing it