The Atlanta Braves, a Major League Baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, have a long history of mascots that have entertained and engaged fans over the years. One prominent mascot for the team was Chief Noc-A-Homa, who represented the Braves from 1966 to 1986. Chief Noc-A-Homa was a Native American-themed mascot, designed to pay homage to the indigenous tribes of the Atlanta region. The character was named after Knockahoma, a Native American word meaning "home of the brave." The mascot was portrayed by Levi Walker, a Chippewa tribesman from Wisconsin. Chief Noc-A-Homa became an integral part of the Braves game experience, often seen at home games dancing on top of the Braves dugout, leading cheers, and interacting with fans.
Chief Noc-A-Homa will make his next public appearance on April 18 & 19, 2022 at the Holiday Inn in Helen for a United Way golf fundraiser.
The National Congress of American Indians stated they have made it clear that native people are not mascots and that rituals like the tomahawk chop dehumanize them and have no place in society. From at least the early 1960s, while still in Milwaukee County Stadium, until the early 1980s at Atlanta s Fulton County Stadium, this mascot lived in a teepee in an unoccupied section of the bleacher seats.
Chief Noc-A-Homa became an integral part of the Braves game experience, often seen at home games dancing on top of the Braves dugout, leading cheers, and interacting with fans. The costume worn by Walker was bright and colorful, including a traditional headdress, face paint, and Native American-inspired garments. However, as times changed and cultural sensitivities evolved, the use of Chief Noc-A-Homa came under scrutiny.
Former Braves mascot Chief Noc-A-Homa in failing health
ATLANTA, Georgia (WGCL) — Chief Noc-A-Homa got his start as the Braves mascot in 1969. He became famous for doing a dance on the pitcher’s mound before games.
And he was there to witness Hank Aaron’s record-breaking 715th homerun. It was a 16-year run as a mascot which ended in 1985.
“He misses it, he misses it. I’ll tell you that. He misses it. It doesn’t matter how old he gets he misses it,” Chief Noc-A-Homa’s daughter Gwyn Newman said.
The Chief’s daughter remembers it like it was yesterday. But today, her father, Levi Walker Jr., is 80-years-old and has seen better days.
“He has been diagnosed with metabolic encephalopathy and he’s not walking on his own,” Newman said.
In July, the former Braves mascot was rushed to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment. His health has been declining for years.
“Well, he has been on dialysis for eight years, so he goes three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to dialysis and that’s a lot to deal with already and he’s got dementia so it’s rearing its ugly head, I guess,” Newman said.
He also had heart surgery recently and has struggled with diabetes for 40 years.
“He needs help, he needs help moving. He needs help trying to get back to where he was,” Newman said.
Last year, CBS46 caught up with Chief Noc-A-Homa at a powwow in north Georgia making arrowheads and tomahawks for his fans.
“I’ve been blessed by the fans to be the mascot for the Atlanta Braves,” Chief Noc-A-Homa said last year.
Now the Chief’s family is asking fans for help. Hoping a GoFundMe page will help cover the cost of mounting medical bills totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“He’s an outgoing person. He’s a get-up-and-goer. So, to see him like this is heartbreaking,” Newman said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Homa’s daughter.
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Nestled in the small village of Indian Springs, an hour south of Atlanta, many natives took part in an annual powwow on a cool November day.
Critics argued that the mascot perpetuated stereotypes of Native Americans and engaged in cultural appropriation. In 1986, the team decided to retire Chief Noc-A-Homa as a response to these concerns. Since then, the Atlanta Braves have continued to have mascots but have shifted away from Native American themes. Today, the team's primary mascot is Blooper, a large blue creature with shaggy hair and a mischievous personality. Blooper represents a more modern and inclusive mascot that appeals to a wider range of fans. While Chief Noc-A-Homa is no longer a part of the Atlanta Braves game experience, he remains a significant part of the team's history. The mascot's legacy serves as a reminder of the changing attitudes towards cultural representation in sports and the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for fans of all backgrounds..
Reviews for "The Role of Chief Noc-a-Homa: From Braves' Mascot to Cultural Ambassador"
1. Emily - 1/5 - I found the Atlanta Braves mascot Chief Noc-A-Homa to be incredibly offensive and insensitive. As a Native American, I was deeply offended by the caricatured representation of my culture. The mascot perpetuates harmful stereotypes and trivializes Native American traditions. It's disappointing to see such a beloved sports team supporting this kind of harmful imagery.
2. Mark - 2/5 - Chief Noc-A-Homa is an outdated representation of Native American culture that has no place in today's society. The caricatured mascot is a poor choice that promotes stereotypes and perpetuates ignorance. The Atlanta Braves should consider retiring this mascot and finding a more respectful way to engage with their community.
3. Sarah - 1/5 - Chief Noc-A-Homa is an offensive mascot that should have been retired a long time ago. It's disheartening to see a major sports team continuing to use this culturally insensitive symbol. Native American representation should respect and honor their culture, not reduce it to a mere cartoon character. The Atlanta Braves need to take responsibility for promoting this harmful imagery and make a change for the better.