Use of Native American Mascots, Symbols, and Names Information on this page has been excerpted from the statements of organizations and individuals, including Tribal Nations, on their positions of the use of Native-themed school mascots, symbols, and names.

From: Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to Guilford Public Schools Regarding the Indian Mascot

Supporters of Native-themed mascots argue that it evokes a sense of nostalgia from their days in school and believe such mascots are intended to honor Native Americans. Yet, while we understand their sentiment, we do not feel honored. … Native Americans are not mascots, nor should our cultures be misappropriated as such. Race or ethnic-themed mascots or school nicknames perpetuate the stereotypes and racism that harm Native and non-Native students. When schools and sports teams use the term “Indian” as a team name, it implies Native people are of the past as if we’re artifacts - something that’s extinct. For centuries, our ancestors strived to assert their identity, protect our culture and maintain our existence, and we want people to know that we are alive and well, and continue to be an essential part of American society. Therefore, Guilford Public Schools should consider retiring the “Guilford Indians” mascot and choose one that better reflects the spirit and pride of the great people of Guilford. Public opinion on this issue is shifting, and Americans are understanding why offensive Native images, names, or gestures are neither acceptable nor appropriate. In fact, many schools, colleges, and professional sports organizations throughtout the United States have also made this change. We’re hopeful Guilford Public Schools will take a leadership role in making the right decision in the best interest of all children throughout Connecticut. 2020

From: Mohegan Chief Marilyn Malerba to The Day in Reference to the Montville High School Indians

It is the position of the that the use of American Indian mascots and American Indian named teams be discon- tinued. While the stated intent may be to ‘honor’ American Indians, there is great potential for less than respectful behaviors to occur in conjunction with mascots. … People should not be considered mascots. It is demeaning to be relegated to a stereotyping of a people. This should not be allowed to continue. It is a bit ironic that during the formulation of the United States, Native people were forced to assimilate, not allowed to practice their traditional dress or way of life and yet cultural appropriation continues to occur with regard to sports teams and their mascots. 2020

From: Larry Spotted Crow Mann, Culture Keeper of the Tribe to the Killingly Board of Education

There are two very striking and what I would call troubling incidents that are the most common experience(s) of Native Ameri- can students across America today. 1. From kindergarten to college: Most Native American students may never have a teacher who is Native American whereas they will never have the opportunity to see someone of their culture in the education system to reflect their goals to model and achieve. 2. From kindergarten to college: Most Native American students will likely be exposed to a racist or culturally insensitive Indian mascot at some period. (That experience is detrimental to not only the Native student but to all). 2020

From: The Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation to the Killingly Board of Education

Educational institutions that engage in false representation of marginalized groups do not fulfill their public obligation to create a safe space for knowledge and critical thinking. When a religious, racial or ethnic group is isolated and becomes a fictive character as a means to rally, a great opportunity to inform or appropriately engage with that group is lost. As a member of and neighbor to your community, it is our hope that we can all engage in an environment of learning that creates a locus of equity for students, educators, and community members. 2020 From: Guilford Human Rights Commission - Statement on Changing the Guilford High School Mascot

We, the members of the Guilford Human Rights Commission, have closely followed the debate around changing the Guilford High School mascot. On the issue of using Native Americans as mascots, the Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, Mohegan, and Nipmuc Nations have been clear: they feel it to be demeaning, dehumanizing, stereotyping, and racist. Out of respect to these — and all — Native American Nations, we are in full support of the current initiative to change the Guilford High School mascot to one that is non-racist. The United States has a long and reprehensible history of genocide against and oppression of Native Americans, and Guilford High School’s current mascot only adds insult to injury. If we as a community are serious about making amends and reckoning with this painful history, changing the mascot is an important first step in the process. We must stop actively degrading Native Americans in this way. 2020

From: National Indian Education Association - Elimination of Race-Based Native Logos, Mascots, and Names

NIEA Resolution 2013-07 WHEREAS, educational institutions and national sports franchises, such as Washington, DC’s National Football League orga- nization, should not be vehicles of institutionalized racism; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NIEA calls for the immediate elimination of race-based Native logos, mascots, and names from educational institutions and national sports franchises across the United States; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NIEA does hereby call for educational institutions and national sports franchises to cease their use of such race-based Native logos, mascots, and names in the effort to remove these stereotypes and raise the self-esteem of Native students so they have the same opportunity as their non-Native peers to achieve academically without discrimination. NIEA Resolution 2013

From: American Psychological Association - Recommendation to Retire American Indian Mascots

“The use of American Indian mascots as symbols in schools and university athletic programs is particularly troubling because schools are places of learning. These mascots are teaching stereotypical, misleading and too often, insulting images of Amer- ican Indians. These negative lessons are not just affecting American Indian students; they are sending the wrong message to all students.” - Former APA President Ronald F. Levant, Ed.D. In 2005, the APA called for the immediate retirement of all American Indian mascots, symbols, images and personalities by schools, colleges, universities, athletic teams and organizations. APA’s position is based on a growing body of social science literature that shows the harmful effects of racial stereotyping and inaccurate racial portrayals, including the particularly harmful effects of American Indian sports mascots on the social identity development and self-esteem of American Indian young people. 2005

From: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on the Use of Native American Images and Nicknames

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights calls for an end to the use of Native American images and team names by non-Native schools. The Commission deeply respects the rights of all Americans to freedom of expression under the First Amendment and in no way would attempt to prescribe how people can express themselves. However, the Commission believes that the use of Native American images and nicknames in school is insensitive and should be avoided. … These references, whether mascots and their performances, logos or names, are disrespectful and offensive to American Indians and others who are offended by such stereotyping. They are particularly inappropriate and insensitive in light of the long history of forced assimila- tion that American Indian people have endured in this country. 2001