I've stated this before. The Indian name was chosen to pay homage to the native American people. And it was done very carefully. Remember Indian motocycle company was formed just a few years after the end of the American Indian wars.
The headdress itself is intended to represent freedom and the ability roam. That is why he looks off in the sky. It is both freedom to ride your pony and looking up to the sky for spiritual awareness that makes it symbolic, significant, and respectful.
And Chief is a generic term. And Scout is actually a French word.
The laughing Indian is the only image that is considered offensive in modern terms. And yes, I know it was racing f... off to Harley riders, but Indian of the 1930's did use it on speedos and a few other things. However, Polaris Indian knows this and now owns that trademark and it will remain in a drawer forever at this point.
What I have mixed emotions about are the headdress logos that are being created depicting a woman on the tank in a headdress. That was never allowed in native culture. Headdress were for great Warriors, Chiefs, and Medicine men of the tribes. But personally, I just don't like it, but that is the riders choice. You will never see Polaris Indian use that type of logo.
Of course, I do enjoy a sexy gal in a headdress on the Babes with Indians links, so I guess I am not 100% pc. But I do think the famous photo of one of the Gilroy era guys wife in a headdress is tastefully done and works as art. So there that....