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Sound advice on dropping Native names

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Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 - 08:51:33 am CDT

The State Board of Education has offered sage advice to the 30 or so school districts in Nebraska that have Native mascots or nicknames.

The board wants them to consider dropping mascots such as Indians, Braves, Chiefs and Warriors.

The districts should take heed and start local discussions.

Schools will soon be formally informed of the board’s position in a letter signed by Education Commissioner Doug Christensen and board President Fred Meyer.

The board is trying to discourage usage of Native mascots and nicknames without being heavy-handed about it.

Board action on the issue was requested at a meeting last spring by Native leader Frank LaMere and a group of school age Natives.

Opposition to Native mascots on the grounds that their use is stigmatizing and patronizing has existed for years. The trend away from usage seems to have gained strength in recent years.

The trend accelerated at the college level after the National Collegiate Athletic Association prohibited schools from displaying racially or ethnically “hostile” or “abusive” names or logos in postseason play starting this year.

A handful of colleges have won exemptions after showing that the schools had approval of local tribes to use the nicknames. But many other schools are dropping their Native nicknames. Southeastern Oklahoma State University, for example, is dropping “Savages” in favor of “Savage Storm” after the powerful storms in the Great Plains.

The Nebraska communities with Native mascots may believe that they do no harm. But Christensen said that the nicknames sometimes provoke fans to make disparaging racial remarks, which makes Native students feel bullied.

The U.S. Civil Rights Office averages about one complaint a year from someone in Nebraska complaining about fan behavior related to Native nicknames, Christensen said.

While it’s true that communities are reluctant to alter tradition, it’s also true adoption of a new mascot is not that uncommon. New traditions take root quickly. How many people remember what Stanford’s mascot was before it became the “Cardinal” in 1972? The “Sooner Schooner” did not become the official Oklahoma University mascot until 1980. OU retired Native dancer “Little Red” in 1970.

A great example of how dealing with the issue can be a learning experience was set in Nebraska by Millard South, which dropped its Native nickname in 1999 after a two-month process including presentations by Native representatives. At the start support for the nickname was strong. By the end many had changed their minds.

The remaining schools in the state with Native mascots should follow Millard South’s lead. The state board of education’s encouragement for voluntary local action is a good first step toward reform.


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b wrote on June 14, 2006 9:38 am:
" Their are many ways to look at this topic. Are they showing repect or homage to the Native Americans, or are the school districts trying to dehumanize native americans by using them as a mascot? I do not think this is the case. Now I fully agree that some teams do not portray native americans well (cleveland indians) with the mascots. But when have you ever heard of Ogallala or Crofton using bad images to market their teams? Will you make the teams on the reservations in Nebraska change their mascots? I feel that the NSAA or state board should not be able to interfere with local teams mascots. Now if you have any issue with remarks or unsportsmanlike conduct, deal with it on a case by case basis. I really feel that teams pick these mascots because they were showing respect toward a particular group. On a lesser point, I am irish by heritage. Do I want Falls City Sacred Heart to change their mascot? Heck no. But that could be the next case if the state board tries to start changing names. How about someone who could trace back his ancestory to a group of knights or crusaders? Would they be able to get all those mascots to change? Or how about animal rights groups wanting us to change away from animal mascots because it goes against the rights of the animals? These are all bad examples, but where do you start and where do you end with this topic? When you start forcing groups to change because of other people's views, you are opening up a pandora's box full of other problems and issues. I know alot of you won't agree with me and that is your right, but remember there are always many sides to an issue, and more than one side can be partially right. "
Bret wrote on June 14, 2006 10:21 am:
" Personally it is just plain stupid that dropping school mascot names has become such an issue. Explain to me how having "Indians" as a mascot - something that a school is generally very proud of, hurts the indians or somehow degrades the indian people. Just another example of the liberal pinko socialist people wanting to destroy America until we truely are a socialist or worse, socieity. "
Kelly wrote on June 14, 2006 10:57 am:
" I realize that a school's mascot is meaningful to that school and its history, but in the end, it is ONLY a mascot. If a mascot is causing any type of distress and if the group of people being distressed are requesting the mascot be changed, then change it. In the end, adopting a new mascot will be worth it. (Remember when we the Nebraska "Bugeaters"?) "
Choppa wrote on June 14, 2006 11:55 am:
" Political correctness is getting out of hand. "
Dan wrote on June 14, 2006 12:46 pm:
" I’m from Norway and the name Vikings is offensive to my ancestors. I also like animals and I think it demeaning to there rights. Really were does it stop? "
Gary wrote on June 14, 2006 1:39 pm:
" I'm a little disappointed as a read these comments. I am not a native American, but I understand the hardships and the discrimination that they have gone through, and continue to go through today. Comparing Vikings and Irish to native Americans is foolish at best, since neither one of those groups was forcibly removed from their lands...in fact, the Irish were among those who helped push the natives off of their lands. And for Bret, who must not have read the article in its entirety, it can be come degrading to native Americans when someone from an opposing team uses a native American slang to insult members and/or fans of a team with a native American name. Our forefathers raped their land, killed their people, then offered them gifts of alcohol and smallpox. While I do not feel that we should be punished for the actions of those long ago, I do feel it is time we start to show that we're sorry. "
Phil wrote on June 14, 2006 2:24 pm:
" While we are at it... better get Red Cloud, Broken Bow, and Souix City to change there city names. Wouldn't want anyone to get Offended by looking at a Road Map would we? "
Enlil wrote on June 14, 2006 2:56 pm:
" If the local teams heard the issue and afterwards willingly changed the mascot then great! If i did that in my town, my school would not want to change the name because we are ndns. But i thought honkyz was a cool name. "
Jeff wrote on June 14, 2006 3:06 pm:
" Here is a novel idea - ask Native Americans how they feel about how they are protrayed. That should be the only factor in any debate on naming policies. Truly, wouldn't you be offended if ran across a mascot for the Millard North Fighting In-Bred Redneck Farmers? The Plattsmouth Pollocks? The Mighty Valentine Drunken Irish? Wouldnt it be a bigger slap in the face if the alumni of those schools told you to cool your jets because it is celebrating your heritage and not offending you? Please stop trying to be so glib and political and start using some freaking compassion for people who dont look like you. "
Gary wrote on June 14, 2006 3:08 pm:
" In the history of the globe, never has a relatively small population of people been guaranteed that they would not be overrun and taken over, and I would say that never in history have the new "rulers" of the land taken such steps to compensate those that were conquered. Annihilation would have more the standard. Were it not us, who became the United States, it would have been another group soon rather than later, and there is no guarantee that Native Americans would even have the benefits they have today. You cannot completely excuse Native Americans from failing to apply the unprecedented benefits our government GIVES them to their advantage. Many have taken the opportunities offered and have led successful lives. Many others have chosen to isolate themselves and have simply devolved into sad, unproductive, dysfunctional alcoholics. The land mass that has become the United States was far too much territory for a relatively small population to utilize, much less defend. Their fate was inevitable; however, there were indeed examples of unnecessary brutality and exploitation. But then there were examples of Indian savagery toward the "white man" as well. "
Chas Covington, III wrote on June 14, 2006 3:40 pm:
" It's all aboot respect. If the Vatican came to San Diego and asked that it change its mascot name, why wouldn't they change it out respect? The problem is, too many non-Indians weigh in on both sides of the issue and turn it into a "political correctness" issue rather than one of respect for a great and proud people. I could agree with Phil, except for the fact that mascots are cartoon-like caricatures. Get back to me when they have the Kansas City Trumans whose mascot has got his finger on the button, or the Dallas Kennedys with a sniper scope as their symbol. "
t wrote on June 14, 2006 4:19 pm:
" I looked on the internet and in 1999 nebraska had around 15,000 natives. This number might have gone up slightly in the last seven years, but compared to the population of Nebraska (around 1.7 million) I don'nt see why this issue is even worth our time to discuss. Political correctness is a waste of time and money. "
Joe wrote on June 14, 2006 4:35 pm:
" I am from Broken Bow and our small town was named after a broken bow. The native americans weapon of mass distruction or utensil used in foraging for food. Our mascot is a prestigious silouette of an Indian Chief. Not some goofy looking comic reproduction. We take great pride in our school system and its mascot. I would guess that if someone is using a Native American slang to insult members of our team or fans it is because we are kicking their butts in some sort of sporting activity. Do you suppose the Native Americans in the area or in the state felt degraded when the Indians from Broken Bow won the Class B state football championship in 1987? I doubt it. How about when our girls basketball team won the Class B state championship in 2003. Feel degraded I doubt it. How about when our 800 meter, 1600 meter and 3200 meter girls runner won the All class gold last year and 3 gold medals this year @ State track. Feel degraded when the Broken Bow Indian name was used in conjunction with these outstanding feats once again I doubt it. Do we need to change the name of our local newspaper it's called the Custer County Chief. Why in the world would someone make their mascot something that they would make fun of we are very proud of our mascot. I believe in the article from the state they stated they get at least one letter a year about this problem. If all it takes is one letter a year I am going to sharpen up my pencil. As with many other issues this problem is coming from a VOCAL MINORITY not a silent MAJORITY. "
Judy wrote on June 14, 2006 5:21 pm:
" How ridiculous. Some people have too much time on their hands and " political correctness", what ever that is is out of control. Toughen up folks its a name and is not meant to demean. Maybe we should get rid of Cornhuskers also...might offend corn de-tasslers. Lighten up and get a life "
Judy Cantrell wrote on June 14, 2006 7:52 pm:
" What if the Wilber-Clatonia sports teams became known as the fighting Bohunks? I'm sure it would not be appreciated. "
Steve wrote on June 14, 2006 9:30 pm:
" The Omaha World Herald had an interesting Editorial about this subject, in the Sunday June 11 edition. It is still online in the archives. The name of the editoral is "A letter of reconciliation". "
Stella wrote on June 15, 2006 7:31 am:
" I am Bohemian/Irish and I would rather my nationality be recognized as a school mascot who people are proud of than for the stupid jokes that we hear time and time again. So change it to the "Fighting Bohunks", I wouldn't be offended. "

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