Natives in Tech, a charitable organization founded to empower Native Americans by hosting networking events among many other ideas, has urged The Apache Software Foundation (ASF) to change its name out of respect for the native culture it should appropriate.
In a weblog post (opens in a new tab), the group blasts Apache for violating its code of conduct, quoting the tech company's words: "Be careful what words you choose."
It is claimed that the company's name came about when co-founder Brian Behlendorf saw a report on well-known Native American chief Geronimo.
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According to Behlendorf, what happened to the Apaches from Westerners colonizing the US "pretty much romantically portrayed what it felt like to do with this web server project.
The article accuses Behlendorf of Indian erasure: the process of "removing, reworking, and undermining Indian presence, past and present," highlighting the 8 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona that today bear the Apache name.
"At times, we have been asked about claims about the use of the name 'Apache' by Apache Native American communities," an excerpt from the company's site reads (opens in a new tab).
"In its 25 years of using 'Apache' as part of its name, the ASF has never been involved in a legal dispute with any Native American community or any other party regarding the use of the name 'Apache'."
As the company claims, this isn't the first time ASF has come under fire for its name and associated images. Its feather logo has previously been challenged as a stereotype of "Indianness," according to another collaborative web article, which calls for an end to the use of Native American names, images and mascots by businesses and sports teams.
TechRadar Pro asked ASF if it was considering changing its name and if it was doing anything to counter the criticism it was facing.