These meaningful conversations with the American Indian Community Working Group helped us educate ourselves and our fans, and our partnership with these leaders has actually assisted assist our American Indian Heritage Month Games, along with the ceremonial Blessing of the Drum and the Four Directions of Arrowhead Stadium. Our conversations also led us to dissuade fans from wearing ritualistic headdresses and American Indian-themed face paint in our stadium. We are grateful to the members of the working group for their counsel and collaboration, and we eagerly anticipate continuing our partnership.
In 2014, we began a discussion with a group of local leaders from varied American Indian backgrounds and experiences. As an organization, our objective was to gain a better understanding of the issues facing American Indian communities in our area and check out chances to both raise awareness of American Indian cultures and celebrate the abundant traditions of tribes with a historical connection to the Kansas City location.
In addition to that ongoing cooperation, we recently broadened our efforts through assessment with a national organization that works closely on concerns impacting American Indian individuals and people. Based on those conversations, as well as the work weve done alongside the regional working group over the past 6 years, we will be embracing the following measures/policies moving forward:
These significant discussions with the American Indian Community Working Group assisted us inform ourselves and our fans, and our partnership with these leaders has actually helped guide our American Indian Heritage Month Games, as well as the ceremonial Blessing of the Drum and the Four Directions of Arrowhead Stadium. Our conversations also led us to dissuade fans from using ritualistic headdresses and American Indian-themed face paint in our arena. We are grateful to the members of the working group for their counsel and collaboration, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration.
We are grateful for the significant discussions we have had with all of these American Indian leaders. It is important that we continue the dialogue on these considerable topics, and we eagerly anticipate continuing to interact in the future.
While we have actually discouraged fans from wearing headdresses for a number of years, efficient right away, fans will be prohibited from using headdresses into the stadium.
Face painting is still enabled all fans, however any face paint that is styled in a manner that references or appropriates American Indian cultures and customs will be forbidden.
Fans will be asked to remove any American Indian-themed face paint prior to passing security screening outside the arena.
We are engaged in a thorough evaluation procedure of the Arrowhead Chop and plan to have additional discussions in the future.
We are exploring all options for a modified engagement moment from the Drum Deck that maintains a unifying effect in between our fans and our gamers but better represents the spiritual significance of the drum in American Indian cultures.
This includes conversations around how to shift the focus of the drum to something that represents the heart beat of the arena.
As allowed by NFL standards and the City of Kansas City Health Department for the coronavirus-impacted 2020 season, we will continue with many of the traditions that we have presented over the previous six years, including the Blessing of the Four Directions, the Blessing of the Drum, as well as welcoming members of people with a historical connection to our area to take part in our American Indian Heritage Month Game.
Lastly, we are exploring the production of a more formalized education program with input from both our national and local partners.
