Idaho Indian Tribe Drops Ted Nugent Citing Rocker's Racist Legacy
Less than seven hours after being asked about the racist legacy of rock entertainer Ted Nugent, the Coeur d鈥橝lene Tribe of American Indians this evening cancelled a next month by the controversial performer.
Tribal officials sounded completely caught off-guard earlier in the day when Hatewatch called and asked why the tribe 鈥� with a sterling record of combating hate and standing up for equal rights 鈥� .
Heather Keen, the public relations director for the tribe, announced the decision that Nugent鈥檚 scheduled for Aug.4 was being abruptly cancelled.
鈥淣ugent鈥檚 history of racist and hate-filled remarks was brought to Tribal Council鈥檚 attention earlier today鈥� by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Keen said in a statement e-mailed to media outlets.
鈥淭he Coeur d鈥橝lene Tribe has always been about human rights 鈥� for decades, we have worked individually and as a Tribe to make sure that each and every person is treated equally and with respect and dignity,鈥� the statement said.
Chief Allan, Chairman of the Coeur d鈥橝lene Tribe, issued a one-sentence statement about the cancellation, without explaining how Nugent got booked in the first place.
鈥淲e know what it鈥檚 like to be the target of hateful messages and we would never want perpetuate hate in any way,鈥� Allen said in the statement.
Laura Stensgar, the executive director of marketing for the tribe鈥檚 Coeur d鈥橝lene Casino, apparently either made the decision or oversaw someone who booked Nugent. Many of his racist remarks have been made from the stage during rock performances, during which he sometimes wears an Indian headdress.
鈥淲e adamantly do not want our casino to be used as a venue for the racist attitudes and views that Ted Nugent espouses,鈥� Stensgar said.
鈥淯nfortunately, when we booked him, we were looking at him from an entertainment perspective, as an 80s rock 鈥榥 roller, who we thought folks might enjoy,鈥� Stensgar said.
鈥淲e take the comments and concerns of our community very seriously and we apologize to anyone who was offended by the idea that we would promote these kinds of attitudes. We will do our best to avoid such mistakes moving forward,鈥� Stensgar added.
