The Issue Of Mascots

This is a message from Janice Rice of the Native American Council of Madison on the Communities United list serve. This message is pertinent given some of the changes that State Superintendent Libby Burmaster is proposing regarding state high schools and nicknames.

Fellow CU members,

When the issue of mascots come up periodically, the voice of tribal leaders is rarely heard. If you would take the time to read the letter from John Froman, Chief of the Peoria Tribe, it demonstrates some of the reasons why our tribal leaders have not been as vocal about the mascot issue.

I could say more about the topic as I have lived through it myself. I went to Tomah High School and we are still called the Tomah Indians. It's a complex issue, but I basically boil it down to "how well are the American Indian students and parents treated in the school district?" If the relationship is good, there is no issue. When the relationship is tenuous, the students become the victims--both in the classroom and at the sports events.

I hope you'll take the time to read the editorial in the Washington Post and John Froman's letter to George Will. It's excellent!

Janice Rice
Native American Council of Madison

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/04/AR2006010401590.html
On January 6th, the day after Will's editorial was published, John Froman, chief of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma (they've been cited as descendents of the Illiniwek who were once in Illinois), wrote a letter to George Will, in response to Will's editorial. Here's the link to his letter, on the Peoria website:

http://www.peoriatribe.com/uploads/washington_post.pdf

Posted by Johnny Winston, Jr. at January 11, 2006 1:25 PM
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