Natives in Tech, a charitable organization founded to empower Native Americans by offering networking events among other initiatives, has urged the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) to change its name out of respect for the indigenous culture it is said to be appropriate.
in blog post (Opens in a new tab)The group criticized Apache for failing to live up to its code of conduct, citing the tech company’s own words: “Exercise caution in the words you use. [they] Choose”.
The name of the company was said to have come about when the co-founder, Brian Behlendorff, watched a documentary about the famous Native American chief Geronimo.
Apache change
According to Behlendorf, what happened to the Apaches by Westerners who colonized the United States “represents almost romantically what he felt [the company was] doing this web server project”.
The article charges Behlendorff with indigenous erasure: a process of “removing, reframing, and undermining indigenous existence, past and present,” highlighting the eight federally recognized tribes of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona that bear the name Apache today.
At times, we’ve been asked about allegations of Native American Apache communities using the name “Apache,” an excerpt on the company’s website says. (Opens in a new tab) is reading.
“In the twenty-five years of using ‘Apache’ as part of its name, ASF has never been involved in any legal dispute with Native American communities or any other party regarding the use of the name ‘Apache.'”
As the company says, this isn’t the first time ASF has come under fire for its name and related images. Its feather emblem was previously challenged as a stereotype of “Indian,” according to another cooperative. post on the internetwhich calls for an end to the use of Native American names, images, and mascots by sports companies and teams.
An ASF spokesperson said TechRadar Pro: “We listen and listen to Native American concerns. As a volunteer-run nonprofit, changes will need time to be carefully evaluated with members, our board of directors, and our legal team. Our members are exploring alternative ways to address them, but we don’t have anything to share at this time.”