FLAGSTAFF - Urban Outfitters has removed the word "Navajo" from product names on its website in the wake of criticism from the Navajo Nation government, bloggers and others, who viewed the usage as disrespectful and a trademark violation.
As recently as last week, the trendy clothing chain used "Navajo" in more than 20 product names online, including jackets, earrings and sneakers.
Two items in particular sparked controversy: the "Navajo Hipster Panty" and the "Navajo Print Fabric Wrapped Flask."
The products now appear on the company's website as "printed" instead of "Navajo."
The company received a cease-and-desist letter from the Navajo tribe a week ago, demanding the Navajo name be pulled from its products, Urban Outfitters spokesman Ed Looram said. He declined to comment further.
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Urban Outfitters last week told The Associated Press it had no plans to alter its products.
The Navajo Nation holds at least 10 trademarks on the Navajo name that cover clothing, footwear, online retail sales, household products and textiles, and said it was intent on protecting those trademarks.
Urban Outfitters' use led tribal members and bloggers to call the product names offensive.
Jaclyn Roessel, of the Navajo town of Kayenta, said Urban Outfitters' approach to Native-inspired designs was callous and irresponsible. Alcoholism is one of the reservation's most prevalent social ills, so having a flask branded as Navajo didn't sit well with her or others - nor did the Navajo-branded underwear in a culture that preaches modesty.
Sasha Houston Brown of the Santee Sioux Nation posted a letter online to the company saying it "has taken Indigenous life ways and artistic expressions and trivialized and sexualized them for the sake of corporate profit."