Full Legislative History
Resolution Number: 1997-D053
Title: Oppose Commercial Exploitation of Native American Symbols
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church assert the need for special attention to the continuing widespread exploitation, misuse and abuse of the cultures, symbols, identities, personalities and spirituality of individuals, tribes and nations indigenous to the Western Hemisphere, by some popular sports franchises, members of the beverage, advertising, retail, and automotive industries, and others; and be it further

Resolved, That, in response, the Episcopal Church will join and [sic] lead in initiatives against such practices, through verbal persuasion and negotiation where potentially effective, but also through public economic boycotts of offending enterprises, their products and their stock and, in appropriate circumstances, support of legislation; and be it further

Resolved, That, as an expression of this policy, the Episcopal Church endorse initiatives by the Crazy Horse Defense Project and other organizations to halt the commercial exploitation of Native Americans; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church call upon all of its members to join in public policy initiatives opposing exploitation and in boycotting products of companies which abuse the principles and values of Native American culture; especially Crazy Horse Malt Liquor and Arizona Iced Tea products, which are produced by Ferolito, Vultaggio & Sons, Hornell Brewing Company, the Stroh Brewing Company, and the G. Heileman Brewing Company.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, 1997 (New York: General Convention, 1998), p. 285.