Native American Mascot Report

8/2/2019 Native American Mascot Report

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Schools Use of

Native American mascots

Reportto the

State Board of Education

Susan Castillo

Superintendent of Public Instruction

March 8, 2012


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EXECUTIVESUMMARY

InOregon,fifteenhighschoolshaveAmericanIndianmascotstheseracebasednicknamesare

theWarriors,theBraves,theChieftains,theIndians,ortheIndianEagles.Inall

cases,theschoolsandcommunitiesbelievetheyarerespectfullyhonoringNativeAmericans.To

suggestthatsuchimagesmaybeoffensiveriskscommunityoutrage:communitymembersbelievetheyareunfairlybeingchargedwithbeingdisrespectfulorracist.Theverytopicinvites

passiononbothsidesandisdivisive.

WhilethecommunitiesofthesehighschoolsbelievetheyarehonoringNativeAmericans,there

isagrowingbodyofsocialscienceliteratureandempiricalresearchthatindicatesthereare

harmfuleffectsofsuchracialstereotypingandinaccurateracialportrayals.Thesestereotypes

areparticularlyharmfultothesocialidentitydevelopmentandselfesteemofAmericanIndian

youngpeople.ResearchindicatesthatusingNativeAmericansasmascotspromotes

discrimination,pupilharassment,andstereotyping.

TheOregonStateBoardofEducationhasbeengiventheresponsibilitybytheOregon

Legislatureinstatestatutetoensurethatpersonsarenotsubjectedtounlawfuldiscrimination

inourpublicschoolsonthebasisofrace,color,religion,sex,sexualorientation,nationalorigin,

maritalstatus,ageordisability.NativeAmericanstudentsarealsoentitledtoaneducational

environmentthatisnothostileandisconducivetotheattainmentofeducationalgoals.The

boardhasaresponsibilitytoconsidertheresearchandweighthisagainstthecommunitys

desiretomaintainitstraditions.

Sincethe1970s,20OregonhighschoolshavechangedtheirIndianrelatednicknamesand

mascots.

Oregons

community

colleges

and

universities

have

discontinued

the

use

of

Indian

mascots.TheOregoniandoesnotprintnamessuchastheBraves,Redskins,andRedmen.

SuperintendentCastillorecommendstheboardthoughtfullyconsidertheissuefromall

perspectives.Ideally,theseconversationswouldoccuratthecommunitylevel,buttraditions

andthepassiontheyevokecanmakethisdifficult.

Recommendations:

1. Adoptaresolutiontobedistributedtopublicschoolsthatdescribestheissuesrelatingto

NativeAmericanmascots.

2. Adoptanadministrativerulethatprohibitspublicschoolsfromusingnames,symbolsor

imagesthatdepictorrefertoanAmericanIndianTribe,custom,ortraditionasamascot,

nickname,logo,orteamname.

3. Tomitigatecostsandtoallowdistrictsadequatetimetoadoptnewmascots,allowpublic

schoolsfiveyearstocompletethemascotadoptionprocess.

4. Giveschooldistrictsfreedomtousetheirownprocessestoselectandadoptnewmascots.


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Native American Mascots March 8, 2012

Page 3

5. Specificallyseekinputontheruleandresolutionfromthoseschooldistrictswhohavebeen

identifiedinthisreportashavingNativeAmericanmascotsandfromothergroupssuchas

theOregonSchoolBoardsAssociation.

6. Theruleandresolutionshouldbeconsideredthroughaprocessthatallowsforpublicand

opendiscussions.


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Page 4

Schools use of Native American Mascots

INTRODUCTION

SchoolsbeganusingNativeAmericannamesandimagesbetweenthe1930sandthe1950s.

Manyofthefirstmascotswerecartoonishcaricaturesthathaveevolvedintomoredignified

depictions.However,sincetheearly1970s,therehasbeenamovementtoeliminateNative

Americanteamnames,mascots,andlogosaltogether.

ResearchsupportsthatusingaNativeAmericanasamascotpromotesdiscrimination.The

AmericanPsychologicalAssociation(APA)1hascalledfortheretirementofallAmericanIndian

mascots,symbols,images,andpersonalitiesbyschools,colleges,universities,athleticteamsand

organizations.TheAmericanSociologicalAssociationhascalledfortheeliminationoftheuseof

NativeAmericannicknames,logos,andmascotsinsports.Manynewspaperswillnotprintthe

nameofsuchmascots,includingTheOregonian.

TheNationalCollegiateAthleticAssociation

stoppedrecognizingIndianmascotsin1998.Anumberoforganizationshavecalledonschools

withIndianmascotstodiscontinuetheiruse.

WhatAbouttheVikings?TheCeltics?TheFightingIrish?

OnequestionthatfrequentlyarisesindiscussionsofeliminatingNativeAmericanmascotsis

whethermascotsaredifferentfromotherethnicallybasedmascots.Akeydifferenceisthat

NativeAmericansrepresentaraceofpeople,notanethnicorpoliticalsubgroupofarace,such

astheSpartans.2

Thehistorical

experiences,

status,

and

political

power

that

can

be

attributed

to

American

Indian

peopleversusindividualsofEuropeandescentarealsovastlydifferent.Irishand

Scandinavians,forinstance,areofEuropeanheritageandpartofthenumericallylarge,

dominatewhiteAmericansociety.Moreover,IrishAmericansarethesecondlargestsubgroup

inthecountryandtherearemoreAmericansofIrishdescentthanthereareIrishinIreland.

ThesamecannotbesaidforAmericanIndianpeoplewhobelongtoahistoricallypersecuted,

disenfranchisedgroupwhosetotalnumberscomposelessthanonepercentofthenational

population.3

1ThispageisareprintoftheAPApositionfoundat:http://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/indianmascots.aspx2The2010Censusrecognizedthefollowingracialcategories:White;Black,AfricanAmericanorNegro;Americanor

AlaskanNative;AsianIndian;Chinese;Filipino;Japanese;Korean;Vietnamese;NativeHawaiian;Guamanianor

Chamorro;Samoan;OtherPacificIslander;OtherAsian.http://www.prb.org/Articles/2009/questionnaire.aspx3 http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html


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Page 5

OftenschoolsthathavechosenIrishmascotshavecommunitieswithlargeIrishpopulations.

AnexampleofthisisNotreDame,whichusesanimaginarycharacterasitsmascot(a

leprechaun),thatwasforyearsahistoricallyIrishCatholicuniversitywhoseadministration,

staff,andstudentbodywerelargelyIrishCatholic.Inotherwords,thisschoolcomposedof

manypeopleofIrishheritagedecideduponanicknamerelatingtotheirownethnicity.The

samecannotbesaidforthevastnumberofschoolsusing Indian themedlogos,symbols,mascots,andnicknames.AsregardstoCeltics,SpartansandVikings,thesetypesofmascots

describeethnicgroupsthathavedisappearedhundredsofyearsago.

SometimescomparisonsaremadebetweenNativeAmericanmascotsandvocationmascotslike

Cowboys,Lumberjacks,andCheesemakers.However,suchcomparisonsarenotsimilar.

Anyonecantheoreticallychoosetheirownvocationbutnoonehasasayintheirownrace.This

isonereasonthatstateandfederallawsprohibitdiscriminationinpublicschoolsbasedonrace

butnotbasedonvocation.

NativeAmerican

Mascots

as

aMethod

of

Incorporating

Native

Culture

in

Schools

SomepeoplearguethatNativeAmericanmascotsreflectandincorporateNativeAmerican

historyandcultureintothepublicschoolsettingandthatNativeAmericanmascotsfocuson

bravery,courage,andfightingskillsratherthananythingderogatory.

Someschoolsdomakeanefforttoportraytheireducationalinstitutionsmascotinwhatthey

believeisadignifiedandrespectfulmanner.Regrettably,eveninsuchinstancestherearethings

beyondtheschoolscontrolthatcangetoutofhand.Thereareoftenfansandplayersonboth

sidesoftheplayingfieldwhoinsistonwearing warpaint orfeatheredheaddresses,who

shoutethnicrelatedslogansorslursanddisplayrelatedsignsandlogos.Statementsthatare

used

by

rival

teams

include

words

such

as

kill

the

Indians.

These

kinds

of

slogans

and

slurs

cancreateahostileeducationalenvironmentforNativeAmericanstudentsandservetodisrupt

theireducation.

SomepeoplehavealsoarguedthatNativeAmericanmascotsreflectthehistoryofthelocal

area.However,areviewofmanyOregonNativemascotsusedinpublicschoolsrevealedthat

manymascotsportrayedageneric,stereotypicalIndian,acartoonIndianoraNativeAmerican

tribefromoutsideofOregon.AdditionallymascotsoftendonotreflectlocalNativeAmerican

cultureandtraditions.

TheresearchofStephanieFrybergrefutestheclaimthataslongasthedepictionsarerespectful

thatnoharmresultsintheiruse.ShefoundthatAmericanIndianmascotshavenegative

consequencesbecausetherearerelativelyfewalternatecharacterizationsandassuch,are

powerfulcommunicatorsastohowAmericanIndiansshouldlookandbehave.Mascotsremind


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Page 6

AmericanIndiansofthelimitedwayinwhichothersseethem,andthisinturnmaylimitthe

numberofwaysinwhichAmericanIndianscanseethemselves.4

USEOFINDIANMASCOTSINOREGON

InAprilof2006,OregonIndianEducationAssociation(OIEA)adoptedaresolutiontobanthe

useofallNativeAmericanmascotsforsportsevents.Thisresolutionsupportedactionalready

takenbytheNationalCongressofAmericanIndiansandNationalYouthCouncil.

InDecember2006,CheButler,accompaniedbyhissisterLuhuiWhitebear(bothmembersofthe

SiletztribeandmembersofOIEA),testified5beforetheStateBoardofEducation.CheButler

presentedargumentsinsupportoftheOIEAresolutionanddescribedanumberofincidentshe

founddisturbingconcerningschoolsuseofNativeAmericanmascots:

InIllinois,Nativedollswerehungfromtreesandbalconieswhenarivalteamwitha

Nativemascotwasintown.

InArizona,ScalptheIndianswaschalkedinlargelettersonthelawnwhenarivalteamwithaNativemascotwasintown.

InSouthDakotastudentswearTheSiouxSuckshirtsandchantthissayingwhile

playingarivalteamwithaNativemascot.

TheNewYorkPosthasheadlinessuchasTribeonWarpathandTaketheTribeand

ScalpEmwhentheNYYankeesplaytheClevelandIndians.

HighschoolspostScalptheIndianswhenplayingrivalteams.

Oftenthedisrespectofthemascotcomesnot

fromthestudentsandstaffataschoolthathas

adoptedthe

mascot,

but

teams

competing

againsttheschool.

Mr.Butlerpointedoutthatnativepeopleare

theonlyraceoflivingpeopleusedasmascots

inprofessionalsports.Henotedthatnoneof

theseotherimages(right)wouldbeseenas

acceptablebythepublic.

Mr.Butlerurgedtheboardtoexaminethe

4Fryberg,Stephanie,etal.OfWarriorChiefsandIndianPrincesses:ThePsychologicalConsequencesofIndianMascots.

BasicandAppliedSocialPsychology.2008.

http://sitemaker.umich.edu/daphna.oyserman/files/frybergmarkusoysermanstone2008.pdf5Manyoftheslideshavebeenusedinthispaper.ToseethecompletepresentationscrolltoSchoolMascotsC.

Butler),http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=846


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Page 7

issueandconsiderabanonsuchimages.

Inresponsetothepresentation,SuperintendentSusanCastilloformedanadvisorycommitteeto

lookintotheissue.MembersincludedschoolsuperintendentsofdistrictsthatusedIndian

mascots,aswellasrepresentativesfromtheOregonCivilRightsCommission,theOregon

SchoolsActivitiesAssociation,theConfederationofSchoolAdministrators,theOregonEducationAssociation,andindividualsrepresentingbroadbasedNativeAmericangroups.

Theadvisorycommitteeheldthreemeetingsover2007.Thecommitteerecommendedthe

following:

SchoolseliminatetheuseofNativeAmericanmascotsandlogosreceivingstatefunding.

SchoolseducateallstudentsaboutNativeAmericanstereotypinganditsnegativeeffects.

Schoolsuseculturallyaccurateeducationmaterials,curriculum,andresources.

NATIVEAMERICAN

MASCOTS

&

IMAGERY

IN

OREGON

&

OREGON

SCHOOLS

NopubliccollegesoruniversitiesinOregonuseNativeAmericansasmascots.

In1980,SouthernOregonUniversityendedatraditionbegunin1950whenitsmascots,theRed

Raiders,weredepictedasIndianchiefs.SOUchangedtheirmascotnametotheRaiders,anda

nativebirdsymbolwasused.6

In1998,ChemeketaCommunityCollegedroppeditsChiefsnicknameandselectedStorm

foritsnewname.7

Sincethe1970s,20OregonhighschoolshavechangedtheirIndianrelatednicknamesand

mascots.8

TheDepartmentofEducationhasidentified15Oregonpublichighschools9thatusesomeform

ofNativeAmericannameorimage:

6http://www.nativevillage.org/Messages%20from%20the%20People/timeline%20for%20Indian%20Mascots.htm7Ibid.8Ibid.9(www.osaa.org/)


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Page 8

AmityHighSchool:Warriors

BanksHighSchool:Braves

LebanonHighSchool:Warriors

MohawkHighSchool:Indians

MolallaHighSchool:Indians

NorthDouglasHighSchool:Warriors OakridgeHighSchool:Warriors

PhilomathHighSchool:Warriors

ReedsportHighSchool:Braves

RogueRiverHighSchool:Chieftains

RoseburgHighSchool:Indians

ScappooseHighSchool:Indians

SiletzValleySchool:Warriors

TheDallesWahtonkaHighSchool:EagleIndians

WarrentonHighSchool:Warriors

ImagesofthemascotscanbefoundinAppendixC.

In2005,theschoolboardinEnterpriseHighSchoolvotedtoapprovethestudentbodysrequest

tohavethenickname,SavagesandmascotchangedtoOutlawsafter80yearsofSavage

tradition.SuperintendentBradRoysecreditedstudentsforthisleadership.10

WhiletheNationalCollegiateAthleticAssociationstoppedrecognizingIndianmascotsin1998,

statingthatsuchstereotypicaldepictionsdonotcomplywithNCAAscommitmenttoethnic

studentswelfare,11theOregonStudentActivitiesAssociationhasnottakenasimilarstand.

In2001,SenateBill488wasenactedandprohibitedthetermsquawingeographicplace

names,suchasSquawCreek.Thiswasinresponsetotherelativelynewunderstandingthatthe

termwaspejorative.Atthattime,Oregonhadover100placenamesthatcontainedtheword

squaw,includingnumerouscreeks,lakes,andmountainsaswellasacitystreetinSalem.

Maine,Montana,Minnesota,andOklahomahadenactedsimilarlegislation.

Manynewspaperswillnotprintthenameofsuchmascots,includingTheOregonian;since1993,

theOregonianhasnotprintednamessuchastheBraves,Redskins,andRedmen.Atthetime,

managingeditorPeterThompsonstated,...wehaveconcludedthatwewillnotbeapassive

10OregonhighschoolscrapsSavagenickname,mascot(5/5/2005),retrievedonAugust31,2011,from

http://findarticles.com/p/newsarticles/columbianvancouverwash/mi_8100/is_20050505/oregon schoolscraps

savagenickname/ai_n51307398/,byAP,originallyreportedinColumbia,Vancouver,Wash.11http://www.nativevillage.org/Messages%20from%20the%20People/timeline%20for%20Indian%20Mascots.htm

RoseburgHighSchoolchanged

itssymbolfromadepictionofa

NativeAmericantoafeather.


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Page 9

"Thisisahumanrightsissue;weare

beingdenied

the

most

basic

respect.

As

longasourpeopleareperceivedas

cartooncharactersorstaticbeingslocked

inthepast,oursocioeconomicproblems

willneverbeseriouslyaddressed.Also,

thisissueofimageryhasadirect

correlationwithviolenceagainstIndian

peopleandthehighsuiciderateofour

youth."

MichaelS.Haney(Seminole)

participateinperpetratingracialorculturalstereotypesinourcommunitywhetherbytheuse

ofnicknamesorinanyotherway.12 (Seeeditorialinfavorofprohibition,AppendixH)

NATIONALPERSPECTIVE

In2001,theUnitedStatesCommissiononCivilRightscalledforanendtotheuseofNative

AmericanimagesandteamnamesbynonNativeschools.TheCommissionconcludedthat

[t]hesereferences,whethermascotsandtheirperformances,logos,ornames,aredisrespectful

andoffensivetoAmericanIndiansandotherswhoareoffendedbysuchstereotypingandare

particularlyinappropriateandinsensitiveinlightofthelonghistoryofforcedassimilationthat

AmericanIndianpeoplehaveenduredinthiscountry.13

Sincetheearly1970s,morethan600highschooland

collegeteamshavestoppedusingNativeAmericanteam

namesormascots,thoughnoprofessionalsportsteamintheUnitedStateshasfollowedsuit.Thereareatleast117

AmericanIndian,educational,psychological,sociological,

civilrightsandreligiousorganizationsthatareofficially

opposedtoracebasedathleticnicknamesormascots.14

AbandoningtheuseofIndianmascotscontinuesthe

recognitionthatsuchimageryandnamesareoffensive.In

2005,theNCAAprohibitedthedisplayofhostileand

abusiveracial/ethnic/nationaloriginmascots,nicknamesorimageryatanyofthe88NCAA

championshipsand

the

following

year,

prohibited

schools

with

hostile

or

abusive

mascots,

nicknamesorimageryfromhostinganyNCAAchampionshipcompetitions.15

InMay,2010,WisconsinenactedAct250.Underthislaw,schooldistrictboardshavethe

burdenofprovingbyclearandconvincingevidencethattheuseofthenicknameorteamname

inconnectionwiththelogoormascotdoesnotpromotediscrimination,pupilharassment,or

stereotypingasdefinedbythestatesuperintendentbyrule.16

12

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19920217&id=P4NKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5pMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=30

41,357277513ConnecticutLawReview.Volume40,Number1.November2007.

http://www.law.uconn.edu/system/files/private/Native%20American%20Team%20Names%20and%20Mascots.pdf14Ibid.15www.ncaasports.com 16http://indianmascots.com/position_statement/position_statement.htm


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Page 10

In1999,Nebraskapassedaresolutionrequestingthatallinstitutionshalttheuseofracebased

symbolsandmascots.In2003,MichigansStateBoardofEducationpassedaresolution

recommendingtheeliminationofAmericanIndianmascots,nicknames,logos,fightsongs,

insignias,antics,andteamdescriptorsbyallMichiganschools.In2005,Tennessees

CommissionofIndianAffairspassedaresolutiontodiscontinuetheuseofNativeAmerican

Indianmascots.

TheUnitedMethodistChurchconsiderstheuseofIndianmascotsthepracticeablatant

expressionofracism.17

TheNationalConferenceforCommunityandJustice(formerlytheNationalConferenceof

ChristiansandJews)applaudsthenumerousschools,districts,collegesanduniversities...

thathavechangedtheirnames,mascots,symbolsandrituals,andcallsfortheeliminationof

suchpracticesfromallsportsteams.18

TheUnited

Church

of

Christ

which

said

As

Christians,

we

must

challenge

the

use

of

Native

Americansascaricatures,andinsteadhonorallhumanbeingsasbeingcreatedintheimageand

likenessofGod(Genesis1:27).ThePresbyterianChurchwhich...directtheStateClerkto

writetouniversities,colleges,andschoolsthatuseNativeAmericanimagery...urgingthemto

developaprocesstochooseanewname,logo,and/ormascotfortheteam...19

TheAmericanJewishCommitteewhichdeploresandopposestheuseofracialorethnic

stereotypesinthenames...of...sport(teams).20

AdditionallyagrowinglistoforganizationsendorseretiringtheuseofIndiansportsteam

mascots.

(See

Appendix

E

for

a

complete

list.)

PSYCHOLOGICALEFFECTONSTUDENTS

ResearchoverwhelminglysupportsthatusingaNativeAmericanasamascotpromotes

discrimination;theuseofamascotpromotesharassment;andtheuseofamascotpromotes

stereotyping.

17http://www.gcorr.org/site/c.mwKWJ9NTJtF/b.3416631/k.5ABB/Native_American_Mascots.htm 18http://www.und.edu/org/bridges/nccj.html19http://www.ucc.org/justice/racism/negativestereotyping.html20http://aistm.org/american_jewish_committee.htm


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Page 11

AmericanPsychologicalAssociation

In2005,theAmericanPsychologicalAssociation(APA)21calledfortheimmediateretirementof

allAmericanIndianmascots,symbols,images,andpersonalitiesbyschools,colleges,

universities,athleticteamsandorganizations.APAspositionisbasedonagrowingbodyof

socialscienceliteraturethatshowstheharmfuleffectsofracialstereotypingandinaccurate

racialportrayals,includingtheparticularlyharmfuleffectsofAmericanIndiansportsmascotsonthesocialidentitydevelopmentandselfesteemofAmericanIndianyoungpeople.(Fora

completelistofresearchonwhichtheAPAbaseditsresolution,seeAppendixG).

TheuseofAmericanIndianmascotsassymbolsinschoolsanduniversityathleticprogramsis

particularlytroublingbecauseschoolsareplacesoflearning.Thesemascotsareteachingstereotypical,

misleadingandtoooften,insultingimagesofAmericanIndians.Thesenegativelessonsarenotjust

affectingAmericanIndianstudents;theyaresendingthewrongmessagetoallstudents.

FormerAPAPresidentRonaldF.Levant,EdD

AccordingtotheAPA,researchhasshownthatthecontinueduseofAmericanIndianmascots,

symbols,images,andpersonalitieshasanegativeeffectonnotonlyAmericanIndiansstudents

butallstudentsby:

Underminingtheeducationalexperiencesofmembersofallcommunitiesespecially

thosewhohavehadlittleornocontactwithIndigenouspeoples.Thesymbols,images

andmascotsteachnonIndianchildrenthatitsacceptabletoparticipateinculturally

abusivebehaviorandperpetuateinaccuratemisconceptionsaboutAmericanIndian

culture.

Establishingan

unwelcome

and

often

times

hostile

learning

environment

for

American

Indianstudentsthataffirmsnegativeimages/stereotypesthatarepromotedin

mainstreamsociety.

UnderminingtheabilityofAmericanIndianNationstoportrayaccurateandrespectful

imagesoftheirculture,spirituality,andtraditions.ManyAmericanIndiansreportthat

theyfindtodaystypicalportrayalofAmericanIndianculturedisrespectfuland

offensivetotheirspiritualbeliefs.

PresentingstereotypicalimagesofAmericanIndians.

Creatingacontemporaryexampleofprejudicebythedominantcultureagainstracial

andethnicminoritygroups.

CreatingaformofdiscriminationagainstAmericanIndianNationsthatcanleadto

negativerelationsbetweengroups.

21ThispageisareprintoftheAPApositionfoundat:http://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/indianmascots.aspx


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Page 12

"Native mascots and symbols are all that the

kids at school know about my people, and

they make fun of me for following traditional

ways. These fake images make me feel sick

inside. They make fun of who I am. They

imitate and mock our sacred feathers,

dance and music. We honor our leaders, not

use them as entertainment."

Wayne, 12 years old (Shoshone-Bannock )from Butlers presentation

Weknowfromtheliteraturethatoppression,covertandovertracism,andperceivedracism

canhaveseriousnegativeconsequencesforthementalhealthofAmericanIndianandAlaska

native(AIAN)people.ThediscontinueduseofAmericanIndianmascotsisagesturetoshow

thatthiskindofracismtowardandthedisrespectof,allpeopleinourcountryandinthelarger

globalcontext,willnotbetolerated, saidDr.LisaThomas,APACommitteeonEthnicand

MinorityAffairs.

Toeradicatethehurtfulpresenceofstereotypical

imagingofAmericansIndians,theAmerican

PsychologicalAssociationencouragedcontinued

researchonthepsychologicaleffectsthatthese

mascots,symbols,images,andpersonalitieshaveon

AmericanIndianscommunitiesandothers;and

AmericanPsychologicalAssociationiscallingupon

allpsychologiststospeakoutagainstracismandtake

proactivesteps

to

prevent

the

occurrence

of

intolerantorracistactsandrecommendsthe

immediateretirementofAmericanIndiansmascots,

symbols,images,andpersonalitiesbyschools,

colleges,universities,athleticteams,and

organizations.

TheAmericanSociologicalAssociation

In2007,theAmericanSociologicalAssociationcalledfortheeliminationoftheuseofNative

Americannicknames,logos,andmascotsinsports,andstated,inpart,Recentsocialscience

research

and

scholarship

have

shown

that

the

continued

use

of

Native

American

nicknames,

logos,andmascotsinsportsreflectsandreinforcesmisleadingstereotypesofNativeAmericans

inbothpastandcontemporarytimes.Suchusagealsocommunicatesimplicitdisrespectfor

spiritualandculturalpractices.IncontinuingwithASAsmissiontoeradicateracism,ASAcalls

forthediscontinuationandeliminationoftheuseofNativeAmericannicknames,logos,and

mascotsinsports.

ResearchStudies

ThecontroversialtopicofNativeAmericanmascotshasreceivedsignificantattentionforthe

past40years.Themajorityofthisattentionhasbeeninthemedia,notresearchbased.Thetopic

ofAmericanIndian(AI)mascotshasreceivedagreatdealofscrutinyandthemajorityofthis

attentionhasbeennonempirical.(Farnell,2004;King&Springwood,2000,2001a,2001b;

Pewewardy,1999,2004;Roppolo,2003;Spindel,2002;Springwood,2004;Staurowsky,2004,

2007;Vanderford,1996;Wenner,1993.)


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Page 13

TwosetsofstudieshaveempiricallyexaminedthenegativeeffectsofNativeAmericanmascots.

BothstudiesfoundthatNativeAmericanyouthexposedtostereotypicalNativeAmerican

images(e.g.,ChiefWahoo)experienceddecreasedselfesteemcomparedtoyouthnotexposed

totheseimages.Theyalsofoundthatexposure(versusnoexposure)toNativeAmericansports

mascotsresultedinlowerachievementrelatedexpectanciesinNativeAmericanstudents.

Dr.StephanieFryberg,UniversityofArizona,conductedfivestudies(threewithAmerican

Indianstudents,onewithEuropeanAmericanstudents,andonecontentanalysisofthemedia)

thatexaminedthepsychologicalimpactofsocialrepresentationsonAmericanIndians.22

AccordingtoDr.Fryberg,suchmascotsappeartohaveanegativeimpactontheselfesteemof

NativeAmericanchildren. AmericanIndianmascotsareharmfulnotonlybecausetheyare

oftennegative,butbecausetheyremindAmericanIndiansofthelimitedwaysinwhichothers

seethem.ThisinturnrestrictsthenumberofwaysAmericanIndianscanseethemselves.

Dr.Fryberg

determined

that

exposure

to

American

Indian

athletic

identities:

LowerstheselfesteemofNativeAmericanstudents,reducesNativeAmericanstudents

beliefthattheircommunityhasthepowerandresourcestoresolveproblems(community

efficacy),andreducesthenumberofachievementrelatedfuturegoalsthatNativeAmerican

studentsseeforthemselves.

BooststheselfesteemofEuropeanAmericanstudents.

ParticularlyaffectsNativeAmericanstudentswhosupporttheuseofthesesymbolssince

theyexperiencesignificantlygreaterpsychologicalharmthandoNativeAmericanstudents

whoopposetheuseofracebasednicknames,logos,andmascots.

Has

the

same

psychological

impact

whether

the

image

is

respectful

or

a

distasteful

caricature.

Whynotchangeothermascots,theVikings,orCeltics?

Research23producedbyDr.JohnChaney,Dr.AmandaBurke,andDr.EdwardBurkleyreached

thisconclusion:

EmpiricalexaminationsofAmericanIndian(AI)mascotshaveonlyrecentlyenteredintothe

discourseofmainstreampsychology.ThepresentstudiesexaminedimplicitattitudesofnonAI

peopletowardsAImascotsandtheextenttowhichtheyarerelatedtoattitudestowardsAI

people.SignificantconcordancewasobservedbetweennegativebiastowardAImascotsandAI

22 http://sitemaker.umich.edu/daphna.oyserman/files/frybergmarkusoysermanstone2008.pdf23

http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/PublicHealth/research/centers/CAIANH/journal/Documents/Volume

%2018/18(1)_Chaney_AI_Mascots_People_new.pdf


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Page 14

people.NegativeAImascotbiasalsopredictedstereotypeconsistentexpectationsofanAIperson.

Theimplicationsofthesefindingsarediscussed.

Anexcerptfromtheirpaper:

Thepresent

studies

provide

empirical

evidence

of

negative

implicit

attitudinal

bias

toward

both

AImascotsandAIpeople.Indeed,ourdatarevealedconsistenttendenciesonthepartof

participantstodemonstraterobustnegativeimplicitbiasestowardAImascots,relativeto

Caucasianmascots(Study1and2),eveninthepresenceoffavorableexplicitevaluationofAI

mascots(Study2).Further,theresultsindicatedthatAIpersonbiasaccountedforasignificant

portionoftheobservedbiastowardsAImascots.Whereaspreviousresearchhashighlightedthe

potentialnegativeimpactofthesemascotsonAIpeople(Frybergetal.,2008),thepresentdata

areuniquebecausetheyempiricallydemonstratethatatanimplicitlevel,nonAIpeopledonot

perceiveAImascotsaspositiverepresentationsofAIpeople.Ourfindingthatnegative

stereotypebiastowardsAImascotspredictedstereotypingofanAIpersonalsosuggeststhat

negativeattitudinal

biases

towards

these

mascot

images

have

meaningful

social

implications.

POLICIESTHATSUPPORTABANOFNATIVEAMERICANMASCOTS

In1964,CongresspassedtheCivilRightsAct.TheU.S.DepartmentofEducationstates,Title

VIoftheCivilRightsActof1964prohibitsdiscriminationbasedonrace,color,ornational

origininprogramsoractivitiesreceivingfederalfinancialassistance.Allfederalagenciesthat

providedgrantsofassistancearerequiredtoenforcetheTitleVIregulation.Accordingto

WisconsinsThePupilNondiscriminationGuidelinesforAthletics,Discussionsofrace

discriminationin

athletics

have,

most

recently,

centered

on

the

use

of

American

Indian

logos,

nicknames,symbols,andimages.Underfederallaw,mostcomplaintsallegethatAmerican

IndianmascotsandlogosviolateTitleVIoftheCivilRightsActof1963.24

AsreportedintheConnecticutLawReview,InMarchof1994,theU.S.DepartmentofEducation

adoptedguidelinesallowingittowithholdfundsfromaschoolthatmaintainsahostile

environment.ThisregulationwouldtheoreticallyallowtheDOEtowithholdfundsfroma

schoolwhoseNativeAmericanmascotcreatedahostileenvironment.Applicationofthe

regulationispremisedontheideathataschoolsuseofNativeAmericannamesorimagery

couldsignalthattheschoolimplicitlyorexplicitlyendorsesraciallyharassingconduct.

Therefore,enforcementunderthehostileenvironmentstandardwouldlookatwhetherthe

24ThePupilNondiscriminationGuidelinesforAthletics:ImplementingSection118.13oftheWisconsinStatutesand

PI9oftheWisconsinAdministrativecode,retrievedonAugust30,2011,from

http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/pdf/athletics.pdf


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Page 15

useofthemascotissufficientlysevere,pervasive,orpersistentsoastointerferewitha

studentsabilitytoparticipateinorbenefitfromtheschoolsservices.

TheU.S.DepartmentofEducationstatesthatitsmissionistopromotestudentachievement

andpreparationforglobalcompetitivenessbyfosteringeducationalexcellenceandensuring

equalaccess. Oneofitsfourmajorareasofactivitiesisenforcementoffederallawsprohibitingdiscriminationinprogramsthatreceivefederalfunds.

LEGALAUTHORITY

ThereisnotcurrentlyanOregonstatuteorrulethatspecificallyaddressesmascotsinpublic

schools.However,thelegalauthorityfortheStateBoardofEducationandschooldistrictsto

takeactiontoprohibitNativeAmericanMascotsiswellsupportedbyseveralstatelaws.

StateBoard

authority

to

adopt

rules:

TheStateBoardofEducationisdirectedbystatelawtoestablishpoliciesfortheadministration

andoperationofOregonspublicelementaryandsecondaryschools.25Theboardalsohasbroad

authoritytoadoptrulesforthegeneralgovernanceofOregonspublicschools.26Theadoption

ofrulesprohibitingorregulatingtheuseofanytypeofmascot,includingNativeAmerican

mascots,ispursuanttothisstatutorygrantofauthority.

Statelawalsoprohibitsdiscriminationinpublicschoolsthatunreasonablydifferentiates

treatment,intendedorunintended,oranyactthatisfairinformbutdiscriminatoryin

operation,eitherofwhichisbasedonrace,color,religion,sex,sexualorientation,national

origin,marital

status,

age

or

disability.

27The

State

Board

is

specifically

directed

to

establish

rulesnecessarytoensurecompliancewithOregonsnondiscriminationlaws.28Theadoptionof

rulesprohibitingorregulatingtheuseofracebasedmascots,includingNativeAmerican

mascots,alsoispursuanttothisstatutorydirective.

Schooldistrictresponsibilities:

Inadditiontothestatutoryprohibitionsonschooldistrictsrelatingtodiscrimination:

(1) TheLegislativeAssemblyhasfoundthat:

(a)Asafeandcivilenvironmentisnecessaryforstudentstolearnandachievehighacademic

standards.

(b)Harassment,intimidationorbullyingandcyberbullying,likeotherdisruptiveorviolentbehavior,

areconductthatdisruptsastudentsabilitytolearnandaschoolsabilitytoeducateitsstudentsinasafe

25ORS326.011.26ORS326.051.27ORS659.850(1).28ORS659.850(3).


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Page 16

environment.

(c)Studentslearnbyexample.

(2)TheLegislativeAssemblycommendsschooladministrators,faculty,staffandvolunteersfor

demonstratingappropriatebehavior,treatingotherswithcivilityandrespect,refusingtotolerate

harassment,intimidationorbullyingandrefusingtotoleratecyberbullying.29

Pursuanttothesefindings,eachschooldistrictisdirectedtoadoptapolicythatprohibits

harassment,intimidationorbullyingandprohibitingcyberbullying.30Therequirementsalso

highlightspecificallyharassment,intimidation,bullyingandcyberbullyingthatisracebasedor

basedonotherprotectedclasses.ManyNativeAmericanstudentsexperienceharassment,

intimidation,andbullyingduetoNativeAmericanmascots.Andtheseincidentsarenotlimited

tojustthoseschoolsthathaveNativeAmericanmascots.

NativeAmericanshavereportedtoOregonDepartmentofEducationrepresentativesthatitis

notuncommonforrivalteamstomakestatementssuchaskilltheIndiansorscalpthe

Indiansand

for

physical

actions

to

be

taken

against

the

image

of

aNative

American

mascot.

Althoughschooldistrictssometimesattempttolimitthiskindofactivity,NativeAmerican

studentsarestillsubjectedtoracialslurs.NativeAmericanshavealsoreportedthatNative

studentsatabasketballgamerecentlyheardkillthesquawsshouted.Thetermsquaw,

originatingfromanAlgonquinwordforfemaleanatomy,isderogatory,aracialslur,andas

such,offensivetoOregonians,IndianandnonIndianalike.31Theteamthatthewordwas

beingusedagainsthadaNativeAmericanmascot.

Manyofthesetypesofactionsmeetthedefinitioninstatelawofharassment,intimidationor

bullying.ORS339.351providesthefollowingdefinitions:

(1)Cyberbullyingmeanstheuseofanyelectroniccommunicationdevicetoharass,intimidate

orbully.

(2)Harassment,intimidationorbullyingmeansanyactthat:

(a)Substantiallyinterfereswithastudentseducationalbenefits,opportunitiesorperformance;

(b)Takesplaceonorimmediatelyadjacenttoschoolgrounds,atanyschoolsponsoredactivity,on

schoolprovidedtransportationoratanyofficialschoolbusstop;

(c)Hastheeffectof:

(A)Physicallyharmingastudentordamagingastudentsproperty;

(B)Knowinglyplacingastudentinreasonablefearofphysicalharmtothestudentordamageto

thestudentsproperty;or

(C)Creating

ahostile

educational

environment,

including

interfering

with

the

psychological

29ORS339.353(1).30ORS339.356(1).31QuotedfromSJR3(2001).TheOregonLegislatureenactedSB488in2001whichprohibitedtheuseoftheword

squawasageographicdesignation.


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Page 17

wellbeingofastudent;and

(d)Maybebasedon,butnotbelimitedto,theprotectedclassstatusofaperson.

(3)Protectedclassmeansagroupofpersonsdistinguished,orperceivedtobedistinguished,by

race,color,religion,sex,sexualorientation,nationalorigin,maritalstatus,familialstatus,sourceof

incomeordisability.32

ItisreasonabletoconcludethataNativeAmericanstudentwhofrequentlyhearswordsand

seesviolentactionstakenagainstNativeAmericanimageswouldhavefearofphysicalharm.

Alsobeingsubjectedthesekindsofverbalassaultscreatesahostileeducationalenvironment

andinterfereswiththepsychologicalwellbeingthestudent.UnderOregonlaw,schooldistricts

aredirectedtopreventandaddressthiskindofharassment,intimidation,andbullying.

COSTSTOSCHOOLDISTRICTS

Therearearangeofcoststhatareassociatedwithchangingaschoolmascot.Itisdifficulttoidentifyacostforeachdistrictatthestatelevelasthesecostswillvarywidelyfromdistrictto

district.Mascotstypicallyappearinschoolsinavarietyofplacessuchasgymnasiums,

uniforms,trophycases,signs,schoolnewspapers,andwebsites.Formanyschoolsthemascotis

notprominent.Areviewoftypicalschooluniformsindicatedthatmanyschooluniformsdonot

includethemascotimage,teamname,orboth.

In2007,RoseburgPublicSchoolsSuperintendentLeePatersonpresentedacostestimatetothe

NativeAmericanMascotAdvisoryCommitteeof$345,650ifRoseburgHighSchoolchangedits

nicknamefromtheIndians.Todate,Roseburghaschangeditsmascottothefeatherbuthasnot

changed

its

nickname

from

the

Indians.

It

is

uncertain

if

the

cost

presented

in

2007

also

included

thecostofchangingtothefeather.Additionally,Roseburgisthelargestoftheschoolsthat

currentlyhaveNativeAmericanmascots.Itisanticipatedthatsmallerschoolswillhavefewer

mascotimagesandthereforethecostsofreplacementwillbeless.

Forexample,EnterpriseschooldistrictchangedtheirmascotfromtheSavagestotheOutlaws.

Thedistrictindicatesthatthecostofthischangewas$15,000to$20,000.Thedistrictindicates

thatthechangetookmorethansixyearsandincludedthestudentbodychoosinganewmascot.

Somespecificcostsidentifiedbyotherdistrictsare:

Gymnasiumtotalresurfacing:$30,000to$40,000 Schooluniforms:$60to$150

Schoollogoredesign:$0to$20,000

32 ORS 339.351


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Althoughsomeofthesecostsarenormallyincurredbyschooldistrictswithoutachangein

mascots.Forexample,schooluniformsarereplacedperiodically.Additionally,costscouldbe

mitigatedbyextendingthetimeperiodforadoptionofanewmascot.Thiswouldallowschool

districtstimetoplanforthechangeandtheabilitytoincorporatechangesintoroutine

purchasesmadebythedistrict.

LitigationCosts

Anotherpossiblecostidentifiedforthosedistrictsthathavenotchangedtheirmascotisthe

potentialcostoflitigation.Additionally,rivaldistrictsmayalsofacecomplaintsifahostile

educationalenvironmenthasbeencreatedforNativeAmericanstudentsbasedonstatements

madeaboutanotherschoolsmascot.

Someoutofstateschooldistrictshavehadlawsuitsorothertypesofcomplaintsfiledagainst

thedistrict.Asidentifiedinothersectionsofthisreportthereareseveralstateandfederalcivil

rightslaws

under

which

aperson

may

file

acomplaint

against

adistrict

who

has

aNative

Americanmascot. Insuchanevent,adistrictcouldincurattorneyfees,penalties,damages,or

thewithholdingofStateSchoolFundmoniesdependingontheparticularlawunderwhichthe

complaintwasfiledandwhetherthecomplainantprevailed.

RECOMMENDATION

ThediscontinueduseofNativeAmericanmascotsdoesnotalsodiscontinuetheinclusionof

NativeAmericanhistory,language,andcultureinschoolcurriculum.Forexample,themost

recentsocial

science

academic

content

standards

adopted

by

the

State

Board

of

Education

on

August15,2011includeNativeAmericanhistoryandculture.33Oregonlawalsospecifically

encouragesandallowsfortheteachingofAmericanIndianlanguagesinpublicschools.34

TheOregonStateBoardofEducationhasbeengiventheresponsibilitybytheOregon

Legislatureinstatestatutetoensurethatpersonsarenotsubjectedtounlawfuldiscrimination

inourpublicschoolsonthebasisofrace,color,religion,sex,sexualorientation,nationalorigin,

maritalstatus,ageordisability.TheboardhasanobligationtoensurethatNativeAmerican

studentsarenotsubjectedtodiscriminationthatunreasonablydifferentiatestreatment,

intendedorunintended,oranyactthatisfairinformbutdiscriminatoryinoperationbasedon

race.NativeAmericanstudentsarealsoentitledtoaneducationalenvironmentthatisnot

hostileandisratherconducivetoattainmentofeducationalgoals.Basedonnationalresearch

andthestoriesofindividualNativeAmericans,theSuperintendentconcludesthatthe

33http://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/subjects/socialscience/standards/adoptedsocialsciencesstandards82011.pdf34ORS342.144


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Page 19

continueduseofNativeAmericanmascotscreatesahostileeducationalenvironmentatboth

thoseschoolswhohavethemascotsandotherschools.

TheSuperintendentalsorecognizesthefinancialcoststhatsomeschoolswillincurasaresultof

changingtheirmascots.Additionally,itiscriticalthatlocalcommunitiesdiscussandbecome

involvedintheprocessofselectingandembracinganewmascot.Ideallytheselectionofanewmascotwouldincludeadiscussionintheschoolandcommunityabouttheimportanceof

educatingallstudentsaboutNativeAmericanhistoryandculture.

TheSuperintendentrecommendsthattheboardconsidertheissuefromallperspectives.

Ideally,theseconversationswouldoccuratthecommunitylevelbutthepassioncommunity

membersfeelabouttheirtraditionscanmakethisdifficult.

TheSuperintendentrecommendsthattheOregonStateBoardofEducationdothefollowing:

1. Adoptaresolutiontobedistributedtopublicschoolswhichdescribestheissuesrelating

toNative

American

mascots.

2. Adoptanadministrativerulewhichprohibitspublicschoolsfromusingnames,symbols

orimagesthatdepictorrefertoanAmericanIndianTribe,custom,ortraditionasa

mascot,nickname,logoorteamname.

3. Tomitigatecostsandtoallowdistrictsadequatetimetoadoptnewmascots,allow

publicschoolsfiveyearstocompletethemascotadoptionprocess.

4. Giveschooldistrictsfreedomtousetheirownprocessestoselectandadoptnew

mascots.

5. Specificallyseekinputontheruleandresolutionfromthoseschooldistrictswhohave

beenidentifiedinthisreportashavingNativeAmericanmascotsandfromothergroups

such

as

the

Oregon

School

Boards

Association

and

the

nine

federally

recognized

Native

AmericanTribesinOregon,IndianAffairsCommission.

6. Theruleandresolutionshouldbeconsideredthroughaprocessthatallowsforpublic

commentandanopendialogue.

CONCLUSION

ThereexistsanextensivebodyofknowledgeandcredibleresearchthatNativeAmerican

symbolsasmascots,logos,andteamnamespromotestereotypingandpupilharassment;little

ornocredibleevidenceexiststhatcontradictssuchevidence.

ThereasonableresponseoftheOregonStateBoardofEducation,whohasbeengiventhe

responsibilitybytheOregonLegislatureinstatestatutetoensurethatpersonsarenotsubjected

tounlawfuldiscriminationinourpublicschoolsonthebasisofrace,color,religion,sex,sexual

orientation,nationalorigin,maritalstatus,ageordisabilityistoadoptaresolutionor


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Page 20

administrativerulethateliminatestheuseofNativeAmericanmascotsandlogosbyallschools

whichreceivesstatefundinginOregon.


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Page 21

AppendixA: HistoryofIndianMascots35

Forthelast43years,activistsandspecialinterestgroupshavebeenworkingtowards

eliminatingstereotypesfoundinmediathatnegativelyportrayIndigenousPeoplesofthe

UnitedStates.MostitemsinfollowingtimelinewereretrievedfromtheAmericanIndian

SportsTeamMascotswebsiteonJuly5,2011.

Years Item

1968 NationalCongressofAmericanIndians(NCAI)beginscampaigntoaddress

stereotypesfoundinmedia.

19691980 CollegesanduniversitiessuchasDartmouthCollege,Stanford,andSouthern

OregonUniversitydroppedIndiansportsteamnicknameandlogos.

1989 CharleneTeters,anative,graduatestudent,beganeffortstoeliminatemascot,

ChiefIlliniwek,atUniversityofIllinoisatUrbana.(In1997,herworkwas

featuredinadocumentarycalledInWhoseHonor.)

1991 TheNebraskaCommissiononIndianAffairsrequests27publicschoolsinthatstatetoendtheiruseofAmericanIndianmascotsandnicknames.

1991and

1992

TheNationalEducationAssociation(NEA),thelargestdemocraticeducation

organizationofitskindintheworld,passesresolutions(1991and1992)

denouncingtheuseofethnicrelatedsportsteammascots,symbolsand

nicknames.

1992 TheOregonianannouncesitwillnolongerusethewordRedskinsandseveral

otherAmericanIndianrelatedtermsinprint.

1993 NationalCongressofAmericanIndiansissuesaresolutionwhichdenouncesthe

useofanyAmericanIndiannameorartificeassociatedwithteammascots.

Resolution#MID

GB

58

1994 TheStateofWisconsinDepartmentofPublicInstructionissuesdirective

stronglyurgingallWisconsinschoolsusingAmericanIndianrelatedmascots

todiscontinuesuchuses.

AsshowofappreciationforchangingIndianmascot,ParkHighSchoolin

CottageGrove,MN,received$10,000fromPrairieIslandMdewakantonSioux

Community.

Morecolleges,universities,andhighschoolsacrossthenationchangetheir

Indianmascotsandnicknames.

1997 JayRosensteinsdocumentary,InWhoseHonor(airedonPBS)highlights

effortsto

eliminate

Chief

Illiniwek

mascot.

MinorLeagueCantonAkronIndiansrenamethemselvestheAerosand

boosttheirsalesofmerchandisefrom$60Kto$1.2million.

35 Most items of timeline (1968-2002) retrieved on July 5, 2011 from Chronology, American Indian Sports Team

Mascots,www.aistm.org


22/39


Page 22

Years Item

1998 ChemeketaCommunityCollegedropsChiefnicknameandselectsStormfor

itsnewone. Since1970s,20highschoolsinOregonhavealsochangedtheir

Indianrelatednicknamesandmascots.

MinorityOpportunitiesandInterestsCommitteeoftheNationalCollegiate

AthleticAssociation(NCAA) conclude, IndianmascotsthatpromoteIndian

caricaturesandmimicceremonialritesdonotcomplywiththeNCAAs

commitmenttoethnicstudentwelfare.

1999 Alandmarkvictoryconcludesalegalbattlebegunin1992asathreejudgepanel

oftheU.S.PatentandTrademarkOfficerulesthattheterm Redsk*n isaterm

disparagingtoNativeAmericansandtendstobringthem intocontemptor

disrepute. ThedecisionhasthepotentialtostriptheWashingtonNFLteamof

trademarkprotections.

20002001 Inits2000and2001sessions,theNationalEducationAssociationpasseda

resolution,whichreaffirmedits1991and1992Resolutionsdenouncingtheuseof

ethnicrelatedmascots,nicknamesandsymbols. TheNationalEducationAssociation(NEA)isthelargestdemocraticeducationorganizationofitskindin

theworld.

2001 Inanewsrelease,theUnitedStatesCommissiononCivilRightscallsforanend

totheuseofNativeAmericanimagesandteamnamesbynonNativeschools.36

TheSeminole,Cherokee,Choctaw,Chickasaw,andMuskogeeNations,

representingover400,000peoplethroughouttheUnitedStates,passeda

resolution toeliminatethestereotypicaluseofAmericanIndiannamesand

imagesasmascotsinsportsandothereventsandtoprovidemeaningful

educationaboutrealAmericanIndianpeople,currentAmericanIndianissues,

and,the

rich

variety

of

American

Indian

cultures

in

the

U.S.

37

2002 NewHampshireStateBoardofEducationunanimouslyapprovedaresolution

callingforlocalschooldistrictstostopusingAmericanIndiansportsmascots.

2003 TheMichiganStateBoardofEducationpassesaresolutionthat supportsand

stronglyrecommendstheeliminationofAmericanIndianmascots,nicknames,

logos,fightsongs,insignias,antics,andteamdescriptorsbyallMichiganschools.

2005 TheAmericanPsychologicalAssociationcalledforimmediateretirementofall

AmericanIndianmascots,symbols,imagesandpersonalitiesbyschools,colleges,

universities,athleticteamsandorganizations.

2006 April5,2006 CheButlergivespresentationtoOIEABoard,Portland

April

7,

2006

Che

Butler

gives

presentation

to

OIEA

general

membership

at

theOIEAAnnualConference,Portland

36 Retrieved on August 31, 2011 from http://www.usccr.gov/press/archives/2001/041601st.htm37 Retrieved on August 31, 2011 from http://www.und.edu/org/bridges/itcfct.html


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Page 23

Years Item

May12,2006 CheButlergivespresentationatOIEAYouthConference,

ConfederatedTribesofUmatillaIndianReservation

Dec.7,2006 CheButlerandLuhuiWhitebeargivepresentationatthe

OregonStateBoardofEducationmeeting,Salem

Dec.7,2006 NativeAmericanMascotAdvisoryCommitteeisformed

April3,2007 OIEABoardvotestoforwardtheNativeAmericanMascot

resolutiontotheOIEAGeneralMembership,LincolnCity

April5,2007 OIEAGeneralMembershippassestheNativeAmerican

MascotResolution,LincolnCity

June12,2007 1stmeetingoftheNativeAmericanMascotAdvisory

Committee,Salem

July17,2007 2ndmeetingoftheNativeAmericanMascotAdvisory

Committee,Salem

Aug.21,2007 3rdmeetingscheduledfortheNativeAmericanMascot

AdvisoryCommittee,Salem382007 OnOctober23,theAdvisoryCommitteemetalongwithschooldistrictsin

Oregon,whichhaveIndianmascots.Thesuperintendentalsosoughtaresponse

fromTribalnationsinOregon.39

2010 AWisconsinstatelawallowsschooldistrictresidentstolodgecomplaintsagainst

racebasednames.Districtscanarguethatanameisntdiscriminatoryiftheyhave

atribesapproval.40

2011 TheUniversityofNorthDakotaisdirectedtoretireits FightingSioux nickname

andlogo. NCAAapprovesofUNDsplantochangeitsnicknamebytheendof

2011.41

38ChronologyprovidedbyBradVictor,IndianSpecialist,OregonDepartmentofEducation,fromdraftnewsrelease

ofJuly20,2007.39(12/12/2007)Castillo,S.(correspondenceaddressedtoMascotAdvisoryCommitteeMembersandStakeholder)

availableathttp://oiea.org/docs/Mascot%20Letter%20121207.pdf 402009WisconsinAct250,retrievedonAugust31,2011fromhttp://indianmascots.com/documents/Act%20250%20

%20Web.pdf41NCAAwinsfightoverNorthDakotasFightingSioux,retrievedonAugust31,2011from

http://indianmascots.com/documents/Act%20250%20%20Web.pdf


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AppendixB: Legislation/Policies

State Year Mechanism Proposal Outcome

Michigan 2003 Resolution TostronglyrecommendeliminationofAmericanIndian

mascots,nicknames,logos,fightsongs,insignias,antics,

andteam

descriptors

by

all

Michigan

schools,

by

State

BoardofEducation

Passed

Nebraska 1999 Resolutionby

Commissionon

IndianAffairs

Torequestthatallinstitutionshaltuseofracebased

symbolsandmascots42

Passed

North

Carolina

2011 HouseBill681 TostudyuseofAmericanIndianMascotsatpublic

schools43

Passed

Tennessee 2005 Resolutionby

Commissionof

IndianAffairs

TodiscontinueuseofNativeAmericanIndianmascotsin

StateofTennessee44

Passed

Wisconsin 2010 Act250 Toallowforresidentstofilecomplaintsforuseofrace

basedname,

nickname,

logo,

or

mascot

by

filing

complaintwithstatesuperintendentofpublic

instruction45

Passed

California 2002 AB2115 TobanNativeAmericanteammascotsfrompublic

schoolswasdefeated46

Notpassed

Colorado 2010 SB10107 TorequireallColoradoprimarypublicschoolsand

charterswithNativeAmericanmascotsgetapprovalfrom

stateCommissionofIndianAffairs,changemascotby

2013orface$1,000monthlyfine47

Postponed

indefinitely

Oklahoma 2009 SenateBill765

OklahomaAnti

Discriminatory

MascotsAct

Toprohibituseofraciallyderogatoryordiscriminatory

schoolorathleticteamnames,mascots,ornicknamesby

OklahomaPublicSchools48

Pending

authorship

42ResolutionoftheNebraskaCommissiononIndianAffairs,Res.#992,retrievedonAugust31,2011from

http://www.aistm.org/nebres.htm43StudyofAmericanIndianMascotsatSchools,retrievedonAugust31,2011from

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2011/Bills/House/PDF/H681v1.pdf44ResolutionfortheDiscontinuationofNativeAmericanIndianMascotsintheStateofTennessee,retrievedonAugust31,2011from

http://www.tncia.org/mascots.html452009WisconsinAct250,enactedMay5,2010;retrievedonAugust31,2011from

http://indianmascots.com/documents/Act%20250%20%20Web.pdf46BillNumber: AB2115Amended,retrievedonAugust31,2011fromftp://leginfo.public.ca.gov/pub/0102/bill/asm/ab_2101

2150/ab_2115_bill_20020501_amended_asm.html 47Mascots,retrievedonAugust31,2011from

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhe

re=1251683620430&ssbinary=true 48BillTrackingReports,retrievedonAugust31,2011fromhttp://newlsb.lsb.state.ok.us/advancedsearchform.aspx


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AppendixC: NativeAmericanMascotsinOregon

(TheremaybeadditionalschoolsthatuseNativeAmericanmascotsthatarenotincludedinthis

Appendix)

Mascot and District Mission/Vision Mascot

1. AmityWarriors

Mission/Vision: AmityHighSchoolprovidesanenvironmentthat

encouragesrespect,communityinvolvementandfostershigh

academicachievementinthespiritofcooperation.Studentsare

valuedasindividualsandencouragedandsupportedtoreachtheir

highestlevelofsuccess.

2. BanksBraves

Mission/Vision: BanksSchoolDistrictwillenablestudentstoreach

theirfullpotentialwhilegivingthemthesocialandacademic

frameworkthatwillallowthemtosuccessfullycompetewithall

studentsintheStateofOregon.

3. LebanonWarriors

Mission: Inpartnershipwiththecommunityweprovide

exceptionalopportunitiestocontinuouslyandrigorouslychallenge

allstudentstoexcelaslearners,thinkers,andleaders.

4. MohawkIndians,Marcola,OR

Mission:Toprovideallstudentswiththeabilitytoapplyacquired

knowledge,skills,andpositiveattitudestobecomeproductive

membersofachangingglobalsocietythroughcomprehensive

programswhichpromoteexcellenceinsocial,academic,and

technicaleducationinvolvingeducators,parents,andallother

segmentsofthecommunity

5. MolallaIndians

Mission/Vision: Achieveexcellencethroughcollaborationanda

commitmenttoteachingandlearning.


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Page 26


6. NorthDouglasWarriors

Mission/Vision: Acommunityworkingtogether,dedicatedto

educationalexcellence: preparingstudentsforthechallengeof

todayandinspiringavisionoftomorrow.

7. OakridgeWarriors

Mission/Vision: TheBoardofEducationsubscribescompletelyto

thebeliefthatallstudentshaveequalrightsandarecapableof

learning. Theserightsconveyanequalresponsibilityonthepartof

eachstudenttoassistincreatingandmaintaininganeducational

climateconducivetolearningandassuretherightsandwellbeing

ofthestudentandothers.

8. PhilomathWarriors

Mission:Notfoundonline

9. ReedsportBraves

Mission:Notfoundonline

10.RogueRiverChieftains:

Mission/Vision: ThemissionofRogueRiverHighSchoolisto

provideasafe,positiveatmospherewhereindividualsareinspired,

accepted,supported,andchallengedinanengaging,creative

environment. StaffandStudentswillberespectedandheld

accountableforimprovingourcommunitywhilebeingencouraged

totakeownershipofalleducationalexperiences.

11.RoseburgIndians

Mission/Vision: ThemissionofDouglasCountySchoolDistrict4,

anorganizationcommittedtoservingadiversestudentpopulation

undergoingsignificantsocialandeconomictransition,istoprepareyouthtoconfidently,responsiblyandcreativelycontributetoa

changingglobalsocietybyprovidingallstudentsapersonalized

andappropriateeducationsupportedbymeaningfulschool

communitypartnerships.


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Page 27


12.ScappooseIndiansAdministrationGoal: Thepurposeofadministrationistohelp

createandfosteranenvironmentinwhichstudentscanlearnmost

effectively.

13.SiletzWarriorsMission:Createanurturingenvironmentthatencouragesaloveof

learning,motivatesstudentstoreachtheirfullpotential,and

providesopportunitiestoachievehappinessandacademic,social

andculturalsuccess.

14.NorthWascoCountySchoolDistrictTheDallesWahtonkaHighSchoolEagleIndians

Missionand

Goal:

Provide

foundational

skills

that

encourage

life

longlearningandpositivecitizenship. Provideasafeeducational

environment.

15.WarrentonWarriorsMission/Vision: TheWarrentonHammondSchoolDistrictstrives

toproduceproductivecitizenswhocanachieveacademic

excellence,modelintegrity,aswellasrespectauthorityandone

another.


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Page 28

AppendixD: Resources

AmericanIndianSportsTeamMascots.(2011).Retrievedfromhttp://aistm.org/fr.chronology.htm

Adyanthaya,A.(2005,June5).Sports,mascots,andNativeAmericans.Retrievedfrom

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/06/05/sports_mascots_and_native_a

mericans/

Barnes,C.M.(2001,September).Animalsaremascots SeminoleIndiansaresymbols.Retrievedfrom

http://www.fsu.edu/~fstime/FSTimes/Volume7/sep01web/2sep01.html

Brovsky,C.D.(2010,January29).LegislatorsfumeoverNativeAmericanmascots.Retrievedfrom

http://www.coloradostatesman.com/content/991564legislatorsfumeovernativeamericanmascots

Bustillo,M.(2002,May29).BilltobanIndianmascotsisblocked.Retrievedfrom

http://articles.latimes.com/2002/may/29/local/memascot29

Fenelon,J.(1997).Symbolicracism:ChiefWahooandtheClevelandIndians.Retrievedfrom

http://aistm.org/symbolic.racism.htm

HouseBill681,Initials.(2011).StudyofAmericanIndianmascotsatschools..Retrievedfrom

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2011/Bills/House/PDF/H681v1.pdfNativeAmericannicknames/mascots.(2005,June2).Retrievedfrom

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/153383/nativeamerican_nicknamesmascots/index.html

NationalCaucusofNativeAmericanStateLegislators,Initials.(2011,January21).Statesmovetoprohibit

offensiveteammascots.Retrievedfrom

http://www.nativeamericanlegislators.org/Lists/News%20and%20Announcements/DispForm.aspx?ID=39

NebraskaCommissiononIndianAffairs,Initials.(1999,April19).Resolution#992.Retrievedfrom

http://www.aistm.org/nebres.htm

Pewewardy,C.D.(2004).PlayingIndianathalftimethecontroversyoverAmericanIndiansmascots,logos,

andnicknamesinschoolrelatedevents.TheClearingHouse,77(5),180185.

STAR.(2002

2003).

Native

American

children

recognize

media

stereotypes.Retrieved

fromhttp://www.racismagainstindians.org/STARArticle/NativeAmericanChildrenRecognizeMediaStereotyp

es.htm

STAR.(20022003).Psychologicalconsiderations.Retrievedfrom

http://www.racismagainstindians.org/STARArticle/PsychologicalConsiderations.htm

StateofMichiganStateBoardofEducation.(2011,June26).UseofAmericanIndianmascots,nicknamesandlogos.

Retrievedfromhttp://www.michigan.gov/documents/mascots_69612_7.res.pdf

TennesseeCommissionofIndianAffairs,(2005).ResolutionforthediscontinuationofNativeAmericanIndian

mascotsinthestateofTennesseeMemphis,TN:Retrievedfromhttp://www.tncia.org/mascots.html

Wieberg,S.(2005,August23).NCAAallowingFloridastatetouseitsSeminolemascot.Retrievedfrom

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/20050823fsumascotapproved_x.htm


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Page 29

AppendixE: ListofOrganizationsEndorsingRetirementof Indian SportsTeamTokenshttp://aistm.org/fr.groups.htm

AdvocatesforAmericanIndianChildren(California)

TheAffiliatedTribesofNorthwestIndians

AmericanCounselingAssociation(added02/12/02)

AmericanIndianMentalHealthAssociation (Minnesota)

AmericanIndianMovement

AmericanIndianOpportunitiesIndustrializationCenterofSanBernardinoCounty

AmericanIndianStudentServicesattheOhioStateUniversity

AmericanJewishCommittee

AmericanPsychologicalAssociation

AmericanSociologicalSociety

AsianAmericanJournalistsAssociation

Associated

Students

Council

of

San

Diego

State

University

AssociationonAmericanIndianAffairs

BRIDGES BuildingRoadsIntoDiverseGroupsEmpoweringStudents

BuncombeCountyNativeAmericanIntertribalAssociation(NorthCarolina)

CalvertInvestmentGroup

CenterforArtisticRevolution(CAR)(NorthLittleRock,AR)

CenterfortheStudyofSportsinSociety

CincinnatiZapitistaCoalition

COLOR CommunityOneLoveOneRace

CommitteetoEndCulturalGenocide(St.CloudStateUniversity)

ConcernedAmerican

Indian

Parents

(Minnesota)

CouncilforIndigenousNorthAmericans(UniversityofSouthernMaine)

EagleandCondorIndigenousPeoples'Alliance

FontanaNativeAmericanIndianCenter,Inc.

Governor'sInterstateIndianCouncil

GrandTraverseBandofOttawaandChippewaIndians (Michigan)

GreaterTulsaAreaIndianAffairsCommission

GreatLakesInterTribalCouncil

GunLakeBandofPotawatomiIndians(Michigan)

HONOR HonorOurNeighborsOriginsandRights

HutchinsonHuman

Relations

Commission

IllinoisStateUniversityStudentGovernmentAssociation

InterEthnicChildren'sCouncil(LosAngeles)

InterFaithCouncilonCorporateResponsibility(ICCR)

InterTribalCounciloftheFiveCivilizedTribes

(ComposedoftheChoctaw,Chickasaw,Muskogee(Creek),Cherokee,andSeminoleNations)

JuaneoBandofMissionIndians


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Page 30

KansasAssociationforNativeAmericanEducation

LatinoChildren'sActionCouncil(LosAngeles)

LeagueofUnitedLatinAmericanCitizens

LittleRiverBandofOttawaIndians

MarylandCommissiononIndianAffairs

MascotAbuseSanFranciscoBayArea

MedicineWheelIntertribalAssociation

MenomineeTribeofIndians(Wisconsin)

MichiganCivilRightsCommission

MichiganEducationAssociation

StateofMichigan,StateBoardofEducation

MinnesotaIndianEducationAssociation

MinnesotaStateCollegesandUniversitiesBoard

MinnesotaStateBoardofEducation

ModernLanguage

Association

MorningStarInstitute

NAACP

NationalAssociationofBlackJournalists

NationalAssociationof HispanicJournalists

NationalCoalitiononRacisminSportsandtheMedia

NationalConferenceofChristiansandJews

NationalConferenceforCommunityandJustice

NationalCongressofAmericanIndians

NationalEducationAssociation

NationalIndian

Education

Association

NativeAmericanCaucusoftheCaliforniaDemocraticParty

NativeAmericanIndianCenterofCentralOhio

NativeAmericanJournalistsAssociation

NebraskaCommissiononIndianAffairs

NewHampshireStateBoardofEducation

NewYorkStateEducationDepartment

NottawaseppiHuronBandofPotawatomi(Michigan)

NorthAmericanSocietyfortheSociologyofSport

NorthCarolinaCommissionofIndianAffairs

NorthDakotaIndianEducationAssociation

NorthDakotaStateUniversityStudentSenate

OfficeofNativeAmericanMinistry,DioceseofGrandRapids(Michigan)

OhioCenterforNativeAmericanAffairs

OneidaTribeofIndiansofWisconsin

OregonIndianEducationAssociation(notonwebpagebuthasalsoendorsedeliminationofNativeAmericanmascots)


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Page 31

PresbyterianChurch,U.S.A.

ProgressiveResource/ActionCooperative

RainbowCoalition

SanBernardino/RiversideCountiesNativeAmericanCommunityCouncil

StudentsMakingAllRacesTolerant(SMART)

SocietyofIndianPsychologistsoftheAmericas

SouthernCaliforniaIndianCenter

SouthernChristianLeadershipConference

St.CloudStateUniversity AmericanIndianCenter

SaultSte.MarieTribeofChippewaIndians

StandingRockSiouxTribe

TennesseeChapteroftheNationalCoalitionforthePreservationofIndigenousCultures

TennesseeCommissionofIndianAffairs

TennesseeNativeVeteransSociety

UnifiedCoalition

for

American

Indian

Concerns,

Virginia

UnitarianUniversalistAssociationofCongregations

UnitedChurchofChrist

TheUnitedIndianNationsofOklahoma

UnitedMethodistChurch

UnitedStatesCommissiononCivilRights

VirginiaAmericanIndianCulturalResourceCenter

WesternNorthCarolinaCitizensforanEndtoInstitutionalizedBigotry

WisconsinIndianEducationAssociation

WIEA"Indian"MascotandLogoTaskforce(Wisconsin)

WisconsinState

Human

Relations

Association

WoodlandIndianCommunityCenterLansing(Michigan)

Youth"Indian"MascotandLogoTaskforce(Wisconsin)


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Page 32

AppendixF

APA Resolution Recommending the Immediate Retirement ofAmerican Indian Mascots, Symbols, Images, and Personalities by

Schools, Colleges, Universities, Athletic Teams, and Organizations

WHEREAS the American Psychological Association has recognized that racism and racial discrimination are attitudes andbehavior that are learned and that threaten human development (American Psychological Association, June 2001);

WHEREAS the American Psychological Association has resolved to denounce racism in all its forms and to call upon allpsychologists to speak out against racism, and take proactive steps to prevent the occurrence of intolerant or racist acts(American Psychological Association, June 2001);

WHEREAS the continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities undermines theeducational experiences of members of all communities-especially those who have had little or no contact with Indigenouspeoples (Connolly, 2000; U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 2001; Society of Indian Psychologists, 1999; Webester,Loudbear, Corn, & Vigue, 1971);

WHEREAS the continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities establishes an unwelcome

and often times hostile learning environment for American Indian students that affirms negative images/stereotypes thatare promoted in mainstream society (Clark & Witko, in press; Fryberg, 2003; Fryberg & Markus, 2003; Fryberg, 2004a;Munson, 2001; Society of Indian Psychologists, 1999; Staurowsky, 1999);

WHEREAS the continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities by school systemsappears to have a negative impact on the self-esteem of American Indian children (Chamberlin, 1999; Eagle and CondorIndigenous Peoples Alliance, 2003; Fryberg, 2004b; Fryberg & Markus, 2003; Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs,2001; Society of Indian Psychologists, 1999; The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, 2001; Vanderford,1996);

WHEREAS the continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities undermines the ability ofAmerican Indian Nations to portray accurate and respectful images of their culture, spirituality, and traditions (Clark &Witko, in press; Davis, 1993; Gone, 2002; Rodriquez, 1998; Witko, 2005);

WHEREAS the continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities presents stereotypicalimages of American Indian communities, that may be a violation of the civil rights of American Indian people (Dolley,2003; King, 2001; King & Springwood, 2001; Pewewardy, 1991; Springwood & King, 2000; U. S. Commission on CivilRights, 2001);

WHEREAS the continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities is a form of discriminationagainst Indigenous Nations that can lead to negative relations between groups (Cook-Lynn, 2001; Coombe, 1999; U. S.Commission on Civil Rights, 2001; Witko, 2005);

WHEREAS the continued use of American Indian symbols, mascots, images, and personalities is a detrimental manner ofillustrating the cultural identity of American Indian people through negative displays and/or interpretations of spiritual andtraditional practices (Adams, 1995; Banks, 1993; Nuessel; 1994; Staurowsky, 1999; Witko, 2005);

WHEREAS the continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities is disrespectful of thespiritual beliefs and values of American Indian nations (Churchill, 1994; Gone, 2002; Sheppard, 2004; Staurowsky, 1998);

WHEREAS the continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities is an offensive andintolerable practice to American Indian Nations that must be eradicated (U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 2001; Societyof Indian Psychologists, 1999);


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Page 33

WHEREAS the continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities has a negative impact onother communities by allowing for the perpetuation of stereotypes and stigmatization of another cultural group (Fryberg,2004b; Gone, 2002; Staurowsky, 1999; U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 2001);

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the American Psychological Association recognizes the potential negative impactthe use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities have on the mental health and psychological

behavior of American Indian people;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the American Psychological Association encourages continued research on thepsychological effects American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities have on American Indiancommunities and others;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the American Psychological Association encourages the development of programsfor the public, psychologists, and students in psychology to increase awareness of the psychological effects that AmericanIndian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities have on American Indian communities and others;AND

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the American Psychological Association supports and recommends the immediateretirement of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities by schools, colleges, universities, athleticteams, and organizations.

ReferencesAdams, D.W. (1995). Education for extinction: American Indians and the boarding school experience. Lawrence, KS:University Press of Kansas.

American Psychological Association (June 2001). An emergency action of the Board of Directors: Resolution againstracism and in support of the goals of the 2001 United Nations World

Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance. Washington, DC: Author.[Available online: http://www.apa.org/pi/racismresolution.html.]

Banks, D. (1993). Tribal names and mascots in sports. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 17(1), 5-8.

Chamberlin, J. (1999). Indian Psychologists Support Retiring of Offensive Team Mascots. APA Monitor, 30(4).

Clark, R. & Witko, T. (in press). Growing up Indian: Understanding urban Indian adolescents. In American PsychologicalAssociation (in press). No Longer Forgotten: Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Urban Indians. Washington, DC:Author.

Churchill, W. (1994). Indians are us? Culture and genocide in native North America. Monroe, ME: Common CouragePress.

Connolly, M. R. (2000). Whats in a name? A historical look at Native American related nicknames and symbols at threeU.S. universities. Journal of Higher Education 71 (5), 515-547.

Cook-Lynn, E. (2001). Anti-Indianism in North America: A voice from Tatekeyas earth. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois

Press.

Coombe, R. J. (1999). Sports trademarks and somatic politics: Locating the law in critical cultural studies. In R. Martin &T. Miller (Eds.). SportCult (pp. 262-288). Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.

Davis, L. (1993). Protest against the use of Native American mascots: A challenge to traditional, American identity.Journal of Sport and Social Issues 17 (1), 9-22.

Dolley, J. (2003). The four rs: Use of Indian mascots in educational facilities. Journal of Law and Education, 32 (1), pp.21-35.


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Page 34

Eagle and Condor Indigenous Peoples Alliance (2003). Resolution by the Eagle and Condor Indigenous Peoples Allianceon Eliminating Native American Indian Descriptions Naming

Mascots, Logos, and Sports Team Nicknames in Oklahoma Public Schools. [Available On-line:http://www.aistm.org/2003ecipa.htm.]

Fryberg, S. A. (June, 2003). Free to be me? The impact of using American Indians as mascosts. Invited address at the16th Annual Convention of American Indian Psychologists and Psychology Graduate Students, Utah State University,Logan, Utah.

Fryberg, S. A. & Markus, H. R. (2003). On being American Indian: Current and possible selves. Journal of Self andIdentity, 2, 325-344.

Fryberg, S. A. (November, 2004a). Dude, Im honoring you: The impact of using American Indian mascots. Invitedaddress at the North American Society for Sociology of Sports, Tucson, Arizona.

Fryberg, S. A. (June, 2004b). American Indian social representations: Do they honor or constrain identities?Invitedaddress at the Mellon Humanities Center Workshop/Research Institute for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicitynetwork, How do identities matter? Stanford University, Stanford, California.

Gone, J. P. (2002). Chief Illiniwek: Dignified or damaging? In T. Straus (Ed.), Native Chicago(2nded., pp. 274-286). Chicago, IL: Albatross.

Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes (2001). The Five Civilized Tribes Intertribal Council Mascot Resolution.[Available On-line at: http://aistm.org/2001.civilized.tribes.htm.]

King, C. R. (2001). Uneasy Indians: Creating and contesting Native American mascots at Marquette University. In C.R.King & C. F. Springwood (Eds.). Team spirits: Essays on the history and significance of Native American mascots (pp.281-303). Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press.

King, C.R., & Springwood, C.F. (2001). Beyond the cheers: Race as spectacle in college sports. Albany, NY: StateUniversity of New York Press.

Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs (2001). Resolution of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs. [Available On-line at: http://aistm.org/maryland.resolution.2001.htm.]

Munson, B. (2001). Tolerance in the news. [Available On-line at: http://www.tolerance.org/news/article_tol.jsp?id=169.]

Nuessel, F. (1994). Objectionable sports team designations. Names: A Journal of Onomastics 42, 101-119.

Pewewardy, C. D. (1991). Native American mascots and imagery: The struggle of unlearning Indian stereotypes. Journalof Navaho Education, 9(1), 19-23.

Rodriquez, R. (1998). Plotting the assassination of Little Red Sambo: Psychologists join war against racist campusmascots. Black Issues in Higher Education, 15(8), 20-24.

Sheppard, H. Assembly: No redskins---Ban on name advances to Senate. Los Angeles Daily, 2004 [Available On-line at:http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20954~1923795,00.]

Society of Indian Psychologist (1999). Position statement in support of retiring all Indian personalities as the officialsymbols and mascots of universities, colleges, or schools (and athletic teams). [Available On-line at:http://www.aics.org/mascot/society.html.]

Springwood, C. F. & King, C. R. (2000). Race, power, and representation in contemporary American sport. In P. Kivisto &G. Rundblad (Eds.), The color line at the dawn of the 21stcentury (pp. 61-174). Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Valley Press.


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Page 35

Staurowsky, E. (1999). American Indian imagery and the miseducation of America. Quest, 51 (4), 382 392. [Available On-line at: http://www.aistm.org/staurowsky.miseducation.htm.]

Staurowsky, E. (1998). An Act of Honor or Exploitation?: The Cleveland Indians Use of the Louis Francis Socalexis Story.Sociology of Sports Journal, 15, 299 316.

U. S. Commission on Civil Rights (April 13, 2001). Statement of U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on the use of NativeAmerican images and nicknames as sports mascots. [Available On-line: http://www.aics.org/mascot/civilrights.html.]

Vanderford, H. (1996). Whats in a name? Heritage or hatred: The school mascot controversy. Journal of Law andEducation, 25, 381-388.

Webster, S. Loudbear, P., Corn, D., & Vigue, B. (1971, February 17). Four MU Indian students describe Willie Wampumas racist symbol. The Marquette Tribune, p. A9.

Witko, T. (2005). In whose honor: Understanding the psychological implications of American Indian mascots. CaliforniaPsychologist, January Issue.


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Page 36

AppendixG:OregonIndianEducationAssn.Resolution


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Page 37


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Page 38

AppendixH:OregonianEditorial

Sa fegua rd team sp i r i t , and say i t l oud and p r oud

Published: Thursday, February 23, 2012, 5:23 PM Updated: Friday, February 24, 2012, 10:10 PM

By The Oregon ian Ed i t o r ia l Board

In 1981, Blake Carlsen graduated from Enterprise High School, fiercely proud of being an Enterprise ...

Well, we're not going to say what he was. The school's nickname 31 years ago is still deeply offensive toNative Americans. In 1992, The Oregonian was among the first newspapers in the country to stop

publishing "sports team nicknames, logos or mascots widely considered to dehumanize minority groups."

Today, Carlsen is principal of Enterprise High, proud home -- and we have no trouble saying this one -- of

the Enterprise Outlaws. Although that change happened seven years ago, for some in the community,

embers of anger still glow.

Indeed, some Enterprise residents will go to their graves feeling a part of their identity was yanked away.

Carlsen is in as good a position as anyone to advise other principals about how turbulent a name changecan be.

But, he notes, it's really the adults who are still smarting. The kids? "The kids made the transition just finefrom one name to the other," the principal says. "They just want to have spirit for their team."

Admittedly, what increased acceptance of this change is that Enterprise students themselves originated it.

The student body voted for it. They own it.

There's an important lesson in this for the many schools around the state that are still hesitating. Deepdown, surely, they know they should have changed their names and logos long ago.

They can start by naming a student task force to examine the issue. Then bring in tribal and othercommunity speakers to debate it and illuminate it.

Many people just aren't aware of the racism and the painful history -- involving near-destruction of some

Native American tribes -- casually embedded in such hurtful words and symbols.

As The Oregonian's Jerry Ulmer reported recently, Oregon high schools -- from Amity to Warrenton --

continue to cling to the past, despite the urgings of an Oregon Department of Education advisorycommittee six years ago to move forward.

The committee called for mascot names to be abolished by September 2009 and images to be removedfrom schools by September 2011 -- deadlines that the schools have blown right by. Since mere

recommendations have not sufficed, the next logical step could be some kind of mandate.

If that is necessary, then so be it. The state Board of Education will be discussing this March 8 and March9. And the board needs to find a way to impress on Oregon schools that these changes are not voluntary.

They need to happen.

True, some situations may call for exceptional treatment. At Roseburg High School, for instance, the


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school traded its warrior logo some years back for a feather (T-shirts now boast a lighthearted "Fear the

feather"). But it hasn't changed its name.

Not only has the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians made its peace with the name, a tribal

spokeswoman said recently that she was wary of passing a law to abolish racist names and mascots, asWisconsin did in 2010.

Forcing elimination of names and logos wouldn't "provide for the considered thoughtfulness that would

create solid change," she told Ulmer.

Wise words.

Meanwhile, school districts would be wise to take a cue from Enterprise. Get students involved in picking a

new name that everyone can repeat loudly and proudly -- one we can publish in this newspaper. Like theOutlaws.