(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/08/2023) The State Board of Education introduced a resolution Tuesday that would recommend 12 schools across Michigan drop Native American mascots, team names and other imagery.
Board of Education member Judy Pritchett introduced the resolution recommending schools not use Native American mascots, nicknames, and logos. The resolution directs schools still using those mascots to apply for a Michigan Native American Heritage Fund grant to change the name and 11 public school districts had done that.
“The State Board of Education supports and strongly recommends the elimination of Native American mascots, nicknames, logos, fight songs, insignias, antics, and team descriptors by all Michigan schools,” the current resolution states.
Pritchett said the Michigan Tribal Council gave input on the current iteration of the resolution.
Republican board member Tom McMillin asked if there was a school or team that was endorsed completely by the local tribe, which took pride in the name of the school because it was honoring the heritage of the tribe, causing the resolution to pit the State Board of Education against the will of the tribe.
“We certainly would not stand in the way of that,” State Superintendent Michael Rice said.
Board member Marshall Bullock II said he could think of one university in Michigan that had the backing of the local tribe, which was the Central Michigan University Chippewas. However, he said they were also asked to change the logo. The university did so, changing it from a spear to a stylized letter C.
Tecumseh High School, Chesaning Union Public Schools, Newberry High School and Tekonsha High School have the name Indians as a mascot. Tawas Area High Schools and Gladstone High School use the Braves. Utica High School, Dowagiac High School, Capac High School, Cheboygan High School, Huron High School and White Pigeon Community Schools use the Chiefs or Chieftains as a mascot.
Canton High School still has the Chief mascot but, according to reporting from WXYZ in Detroit, the board voted to retire the logo July 11.
The State Board of Education has passed such resolutions before, including in 2003 and wanted to fine schools for keeping Native American mascots in 2017, but were told by former Attorney General Bill Schuette the board could not do that.
