Redskins Owner Dan Snyder Announces Foundation for Native Americans

After months of public scrutiny, Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder has announced he is creating a foundation aimed at helping Native Americans. 

Since last season, debate has surrounded the Redskins name; Oneida Indian Nation officials call the name offensive and a racial slur. Several publications have stopped using the word "Redskins" and even President Obama has chimed in on what he would do if he were Snyder.

In a letter addressed to Redskins Nation Monday, Snyder announced he has traveled to 26 tribal reservations during the past four months, "[listening and learning] first-hand about the views attitudes and experiences of the Tribes ... the more I heard, the more I’ve learned, and the more I saw, the more resolved I became about helping to address the challenges that plague the Native American community."

He announced the creation of the "Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation."

Snyder goes on to say the foundation will focus on what "Tribal leaders tell us they need most ... the direction of the foundation is truly theirs."

There was no indication in the letter Snyder plans on changing the team's name. He's quoted as saying he'd never change the name -- "You can use caps," he said.

Last fall, Oneida Indian Nation called for the NFL's sanction of Snyder, unsuccessfully.

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