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

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Washington Post Headline: "In an effort to deflect criticism from using a racial epithet, Dan Snyder attempts to buy off Native American tribes with the 21st century equivalent of fire water."

Did Leslie Knope write that headline? How many words is that?!?!

[davy]

Original Americans Foundation

O.A.F.

Says it all really.

[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.

[Chico23231]

HTTR24-7 twitter makes a great point, "you never hear these bitches hating on the Snyders for leading the breast cancer charge in the NFL, or for the work he does for children's hospitals."

Snyder has a proven record of helping others, why are people so down on this? I believe D.S. will make this foundation a winner and bring awareness and funds to help. Time for rich white people to pull out their check books and their head out their asses and see if they can make a difference about real native american issues.

[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

[rypper11]

I don't see how anyone with any compassion can go to a reservation and not want to help. I'm cynical of the motives behind a lot of foundations but if it helps others then it shouldn't matter.

[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.

[Buffalo Bob]

Originally Posted by rypper11

I don't see how anyone with any compassion can go to a reservation and not want to help. I'm cynical of the motives behind a lot of foundations but if it helps others then it shouldn't matter.

I kind of wonder where all the money goes and how it gets divided up. I have only been to Indian reservations in California in fact I used to live a few miles from one 30 years ago. On a lot of them there are large elaborate casinos that appear very busy, also they sell drinks unlike Las Vegas casinos that give them away. Also and I am sure this is true in other areas the Cahuilla Indians own 50 square miles in the Palm Springs area (Desert resort town) so they lease land to local businesses and also own golf courses open to the public.

Seems odd the wealth some of the Indian tribes control yet most of the residential areas on the reservations I have been on look like slums. I think the tribal leaders are probably corrupt and not spreading the wealth beyond their inner circle.

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Washington Post Headline: "In an effort to deflect criticism from using a racial epithet, Dan Snyder attempts to buy off Native American tribes with the 21st century equivalent of fire water."

by: Mike Wise

[JoLo]

What I wonder is... what happens if the Redskins are finally forced to change their name, will Snyder put an axe to this foundation lol.

[skinsguy]

Wow, derned if you do, derned if you don't. Snyder is doing something positive for these tribes. Tell me who else is actually stepping up to the plate, other than complaining about a sports franchise's name?

[KI Skins Fan]

I don't believe that this is strictly a PR move. Yet, once again Snyder came across as self-serving because he just couldn't leave the team name issue out of it when he announced the creation of the foundation. That was plain stupid. He should have announced the foundation and commented only on the foundation and his personal motivation to help Native Americans.

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by NC_Skins

by: Mike Wise

El Douche!!

[MTK]

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

I don't believe that this is strictly a PR move. Yet, once again Snyder came across as self-serving because he just couldn't leave the team name issue out of it when he announced the creation of the foundation. That was plain stupid. He should have announced the foundation and commented only on the foundation and his personal motivation to help Native Americans.

If he left that part out pretty sure he'd be getting ripped a new one for not being honest and up front about it.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

If he left that part out pretty sure he'd be getting ripped a new one for not being honest and up front about it.

People will pick everything the man does apart. Why can't people just focus on the fact that someone is doing something to help those in need?