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State wants to end Native school mascots

October 1, 2012 @ 7:20 pm (Updated: 5:40 am - 10/2/12 )

The Washington State Board of Education wants schools to do away with their Warriors, Braves and Redskins mascots.

The board passed a resolution that encourages local school districts to "remove biased, derogatory, or inflammatory mascots, logos, names, and symbols from their schools."

Many schools in Washington have voluntarily given up their Native mascots, including Eatonville Middle School, which went from being the Warriors to the Eagles. Eisenhower Middle School in Everett also dropped its Warriors images. They are now the Patriots. But there are dozens who still use the mascots, which they believe honor Native American tribes.

Redskins Port Townsend is one of the high schools in Washington that uses the nickname "Redskins."

The school's population is about two percent American Indian or Alaskan Native, according to the Superintendent of Public Instruction's office. About 84 percent of the student population is white.

Port Townsend's community has already been studying the idea of changing their mascot.

A seven-member committee is exploring the issue and will present a report at a board meeting later this month.

A former Port Townsend High School mascot urges the school to drop the Redskins name in a letter he sent to the district superintendent in July, and in an editorial he wrote for the local newspaper.

"As a senior, I served as the Redskins mascot. Although I wore the Indian costume to assemblies and football games, I hated the head piece. It was a truly awful caricature: braided black hair, giant almond eyes, and a protruding, gnarled nose," writes Robert Tsai.

Mascot He wore a Redskins mascot uniform, like the one pictured left, for Port Townsend High during the 1988-89 school year.

"The difficulty with the term 'Redskins' is that it perpetuates an outdated, and to many, a derogatory stereotype of Native Americans," he writes in the letter to Superintendent David Engle. "Instead, it is a part of popular vernacular that arose primarily among the white population, used to refer to the American Indian population generally."

Tsai, now a law professor at American University, concludes, "Today, the word connotes fierceness or bravery to some, but to others’ ears, it is no different from 'yellow skins' or 'darkies' or 'red necks.'"

Chief Sealth, the Seattle high school named for Chief Seattle, a Duwamish chief, doesn't even use a Native mascot. They're the Seahawks.

The Native American mascot controversy also came up in Oregon this year.

In May, the Oregon State Board of Education voted to ban Native American mascots, nicknames and logos from eight of its high schools. The schools have Oregon five years to comply. If they don't they could lose state funding.

I talked to a tribal leader in Oregon about the ban there and she thought it was "another form of disrespect" to Native American culture.

"It's easier to ban Native American images than it is to deal with the real issue," says Shiobhan Taylor, a spokesperson for Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

"The Board of Education needs to put their energy and their attention and their talent into making sure that the curriculum our children have in our school system teaches the accurate story of Oregon's tribes. Our children unfortunately just don't get that."

Most of what students learn about Indigenous people begins and ends with the Plains Indians, she says. They're an archetype in literature and art for American Indians everywhere. There are nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon and 27 in Washington.

The Washington Board of Education's request to change Indian mascots does not come with a financial threat if the schools don't adopt new non-Native symbols for their schools and sports teams.

Is it ridiculous to ban Native American mascots in a state where we have many cities and landmarks are named after Northwest tribes? Or is it about time to do away with all Native depictions for schools and sports teams in Washington?

By LINDA THOMAS

Photos, Port Townsend High School sweatshirt with mascot, as sold through the ASB student store. Port Townsend High School mascot, circa 1990, from Robert Tsai.

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (50)


  • Add A Comment

  • ron prevost wrote...
    Have you ever looked at the mascot of the 'Fightin' Irish' of Notre Dame ?
    October 1, 2012 8:31 pm
    That's a more stereotypical rendition than anything regarding First Nations peoples.

    Besides, stuff like 'warriors' is only 'Indian' if you show a feathered head with it. And 'Chieftains' is the name of an Irish band.

    "Redskins' does go beyond the beyonds, but most other nick names are okay - isf not laudetory.

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  • flipper wrote...
    What about the Yankees?
    October 2, 2012 10:18 am
    That's a stereotype of the northern folk by the southern folk.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Hayduke wrote...
    I used to be on the other side of the issue.
    October 1, 2012 10:22 pm
    My school's mascot/team name was the "Redmen." I was on the student council when some PC attention seeker decided it was offensive, even though NOT A SINGLE AMERICAN INDIAN/"NATIVE AMERICAN" HAD EVER COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. (What am I, by the way, if I'm not a "native American?")

    Anyway, our team name was subsequently changed to the "Redhawks." Let me tell you, it was kind of a downer to wear the new jerseys on our hockey team that year. I mean, "Redtails?" Wut.T.F.

    Now having said that, I've thought more about it. And it seems that, unlike where I went to school, there have been many complaints over the years from our First Nation citizens about mascots. And quite frankly, I think our 'native peoples" should have more of a say on the matter than us white-bread anglos. Who are we to tell them them they shouldn't be offended at a mascot that stereotypes their race?

    So yeah, I've gradually changed my mind on the issue. And no, i don't have a dreamcatcher hanging from my rear-view mirror.

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  • TigerSGT wrote...
    got off the peacepipe
    October 2, 2012 1:00 pm
    dude i could not follow a single word you posted.....
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  • Keitho wrote...
    PC Run Amok
    October 1, 2012 10:43 pm
    As usual, the left has gone looking to solve a problem that isnt there. There is nothing disrespectful about the mascots. Being of Scandanavian decent, I am not offended by the Vikings mascot. In fact, the Vikings were my favorite NFL team growing up. I would think a warrior or indian mascot would not be offensive. Sounds like the tribes are not concerned. looks like the board of education might be a good place to look for cost cutting if they have people devoted to non issues such as this.
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  • Whidbeyboy wrote...
    Huh?
    October 2, 2012 4:57 pm
    What makes you think this is leftist issue? I am left center, andd I disagree with this and actually think it's stupid to be so PC. In addition, you can be a warrior without being indian can't we?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • roomtemp wrote...
    Suggested replacements include...
    October 1, 2012 10:46 pm
    The Port Townsend Pasty's, Woodenville White Breads, Cascade Crackers, Snoqualmie Snowmen, and Hobart Honky's... XD
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  • Sean wrote...
    Those plurals would be
    October 2, 2012 1:43 pm
    the Pasties and the Honkies.
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  • roomtemp wrote...
    @Sean...
    October 2, 2012 2:58 pm
    I actually knew that. But us crackers can't jump, nor rednecks spell. We also don't look good in bright colored clothing and sunburn easily.

    I tried it the right way. It just didn't feel hillbilly enough for me. And pasties are nipple covers. (The school mascot in that case might be problematic.)

    Now if you'll excuse me, I have to fire up the weedeater and find the truck I planted in the back yard.

    P.S. -I claim full blonde/blue diplomatic immunity for uttering racist epithets directed at the melanin challenged.- :p

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  • Hayduke wrote...
    So Keitho, you know better than the Indians themselves if an Indian mascot is disrespectful?
    October 1, 2012 11:12 pm
    Do you know how patronizing that sounds? If the tribes, say it's a problem, I take them at their word. How about we let them decide for THEMSELVES if something that's supposed to represent their race is disrespectful, or not.
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  • hedujg26 wrote...
    Hayduke, thats just it
    October 2, 2012 6:14 am
    There aren't any tribes complaining. The local Indian community here doesn't want the name changed. It not derogatory. This is more misguided "good" intentions. Its not needed. Is "Braves" an "untrue" of misrepresentative name? Is the "Casino Dealers" worse? No, I am not real fond of "Redskins", but if you limit those names for "racist" reasons, then you MUST lose Vikings, Fighting Irish, Trojans, anything that denotes an historically based group.
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  • GoSeaHox wrote...
    There are Tribes complaining
    October 2, 2012 8:27 am
    There is a large movement of the consortium of Native American Tribes that are currently working to get several mascots and names changed. The main objections are to the name Redskins and stereotypical mascots, such as Chief Wahoo in Cleveland.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Whidbeyboy wrote...
    Priority?
    October 2, 2012 5:01 pm
    With so many alcoholic issues, gettos and drugs out of control and a higher mortality rate then anyone else, you would think they would focus thier time on something more pressing then mascots names. I think the names are promoting thier culture and used wiith pride and represent strength and courage, but I guess that isn't important as wasting times with worthless issues.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Hey Duke -
    October 2, 2012 6:14 am
    Patronizing (also) is the white liberals who (every year) think they know what's good or bad for various peoples.

    And, BTW, First Nations or some such is more logical than 'Indians'. That's a 520 year old mistake Columbus made when he thought he'd reached India.

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  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    Only My Opinion..........
    October 2, 2012 4:34 am
    These issues are small-potato's to what I have to deal with on a daily basis.

    I am part Welsh and part Hungarian.

    My friends just refer to me as being Wel-Hung.>p>

    Try to think of a mascot to represent that!

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  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    Oh Please
    October 2, 2012 5:31 am
    just another demonstration of how the state and the fed control us a little more everyday...
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  • Whidbeyboy wrote...
    Sick of Seattle
    October 2, 2012 5:04 pm
    Just wondering why you stay here if you hate it so bad? Not sure, but think you'd hate it anywhere you lived, just the nature of some.
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  • Richardb787 wrote...
    Sick and Tired..
    October 2, 2012 6:09 am
    Ok, so I am Norwegian, and I'm offened by "Vikings", should Puyallup, Lake Stevens et al change thier Nickname? It is just a name, and if the tribes aren't complaining, stop trying to fix what isn't broke...
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  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    PC
    October 2, 2012 6:18 am
    is the death knell of America
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mikey53 wrote...
    The Number Of Offended Is Endless . . .
    October 2, 2012 6:18 am
    How about the Oregon State Beavers? Just sayin'
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • flipper wrote...
    As I recall
    October 2, 2012 10:28 am
    when something similar was going on in Colorado in 2002, Eaton High School was called the Reds (still is) but its mascot was an Indian caricature. Those who were lampooning the whole issue suggested two alternate nicknames; The Eaton Fightin' Whities or The Eaton Beavers.
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  • Whidbeyboy wrote...
    Right
    October 2, 2012 5:05 pm
    why aren't more woman complaining about THAT!
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