Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation

The Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation (OAF) is a nonprofit organization started by Daniel Snyder, controlling owner of the Washington Redskins American football team. It was formed under a climate of controversy around the name of the team, which some consider offensive. According to a letter from Snyder, it “will address the urgent challenges plaguing Indian country based on what tribal leaders tell us they need most.” In the letter to season ticket holders, announcing the Foundation, Snyder stated that he and other team representatives had visited 26 reservations in twenty states to " listen and learn first-hand about the views, attitudes, and experiences of the Tribes ". The letter quotes Pueblo of Zuni Governor Arlen Quetawki, saying " I appreciated your sincerity to learn about our culture and the real life issues we face on a daily basis ". Torrez - Martinez of Desert Cahuilla was quoted in the letter as saying, " There are Native Americans everywhere that 100 percent support the Redskins " Snyder also used his letter to cite instances of support for the team name by other Native Americans during his visits.

Prior to the official announcement of the foundation, there had been news reports of meetings by Snyder with tribal leaders in Alabama and New Mexico to discuss charitable donations and economic development; which received mixed responses from Native Americans. Some welcome any assistance with poverty and the other problems poverty creates; while others see it as purely public relations. Robert McGhee, treasurer of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Atmore, AL said: "I thought the whole meeting was odd." On his visit to the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center in New Mexico, Snyder was given a guided tour by the director, Jim Enote. When Enote told Snyder he was not pleased with the Redskins mascot and team name Snyder snapped back with, “We are a football team.”

Gary L. Edwards (Cherokee), the chief executive of the National Native American Law Enforcement Association (NNALEA) was named director of OAF. As CEO of NNALEA, Edwards serves or has served on the following advisory committees and task forces: the National Incident Management System; the National Response Plan; the Funding of First Responders; Preparedness and Information Sharing; Pilot Capabilities Assessment Project; SAFECOM Advisory Group; the Department of Homeland Security’s National Preparedness Goal State, Tribal and Local Working Group; as well as the Department of Justice’s Counter-Terrorism Training Coordination Working Group, Intelligence Training Coordination Working Group and Officer Safety and Wellness Task Force. The NNALEA was cited in a US Dept. of Interior Inspector General's (IG) report for failing to produce any usable work to fulfill a contract with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, leading to cancellation of that contract. Edwards was not mentioned by name. The IG report was most critical of the BIA for allowing language in the contract that resulted in the NNALEA being paid almost $1 million without requiring results.

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