The Make Indians Great Again (MIGA) movement, emerging in 2025, reflects a growing sentiment among some Native American groups and supporters to reclaim and celebrate indigenous heritage through sports culture, with a notable focus on restoring the Washington Redskins name. Spearheaded by organizations like the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA), the movement argues that the term “Redskins,” despite its controversial history, can be reframed as a tribute to Native American resilience and warrior spirit, countering decades of criticism labeling it a racial slur. Recent statements from figures like President Trump, who has publicly supported reverting the Washington Commanders back to the Redskins and threatened to block a new stadium deal unless the change occurs, have amplified MIGA’s visibility, framing it as a cultural reclamation effort under the slogan “MIGA.” This push has gained traction with over 100,000 petition signatures, signaling a grassroots demand to honor Native American identity.

Renaming the Washington football team back to the Redskins is positioned by MIGA advocates as merely the initial step in a broader, multi-year effort to restore Native American imagery and names across sports, challenging what they perceive as an overreach of cancel culture. The movement critiques the 2020 decision to drop the Redskins name as a capitulation to corporate pressure and progressive narratives, pointing to historical ties like the logo designed by Blackfeet Nation member Walter Wetzel as evidence of cultural pride rather than offense. Plans include lobbying for the return of similar names and mascots—such as the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians)—and engaging with other teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Braves to integrate Native perspectives into branding, aiming to transform sports into a platform for education and reconciliation over a period of several years.

This multi-year strategy also involves community outreach, legal challenges, and political advocacy to reshape public perception and institutional policies, though it faces significant opposition from Native American activists who view the term “Redskins” as inherently derogatory. MIGA proponents argue that the movement will fund educational initiatives and collaborate with tribes to ensure authentic representation, potentially extending beyond sports into broader cultural recognition. However, the effort’s success hinges on navigating divided opinions within Native communities—where polls like the 2016 Washington Post survey showed 90% of respondents were not offended, yet other studies and activists assert widespread harm—making it a contentious, long-term battle to redefine how Native American heritage is honored in American society.