The Chicago Blackhawks franchise has faced significant public scrutiny, ongoing protests, and intense societal debate regarding its name, imagery, and iconography, which honor Black Hawk, a historical leader of the Sauk nation. While team ownership and defenders of the moniker argue that the branding is intended to pay respectful tribute to Native American heritage and preserve the legacy of an important historical figure, critics, Indigenous advocacy groups, and cultural analysts argue that utilizing Native American names, mascots, and stereotypical imagery by major sports organizations is culturally appropriative, harmful, and disrespectful to Indigenous peoples.