Skyla P

Mascot Essay

            Depending on where the location of your school is the mascot may or may not be a problem, but in my community it has become a serious issue. Our school has a senior writing class and we have had some great discussions on whether we agree or disagree with the issue of changing our school mascot. Many have agreed, some have disagreed and a few were in between on what way they would choose if this was really happening in our school today.

            We discussed in class the issue of  changing or keeping mascots. “If it came down to us really having a say if our mascot had to be changed we would disagree! We wouldn’t want it to be something other then the Warriors and Scarlet’s,” said some students.   Others said “the names Warriors and Scarlet’s have a historical meaning to the school and reservation and we like to represent what those names real meanings are.” But on the other side of the room there were classmates who wanted the mascot to be changed because we aren’t actual Warriors and Scarlet’s.   Everyone has their own opinion on what the mascot names represent. Each student had a very different opinion on the subject of mascots.  One classmate stated “it would depend on what our school and community would want to change the mascot to, and if it actually meant something.”  A lot of the class said that they would want to keep Warriors and get rid of Scarlet’s and change the ladies to Lady Warriors.

            On our reservation there are two other schools’ mascots that have been up for debate on whether the names and logos should be changed. Ronan Chiefs and Maidens for example is one of the schools which had this issue directed at them.  The community and school fought for it to stay the same and didn’t change it because it meant something to them and it’s been around forever. Hot Springs Savage was the other school around our area which has struggled with their mascot name.   People thought that savages were racist and offensive to Native Americans and their culture. So after a long debate on whether or not it should be changed the school came up with an idea to just add heat to the end of Savages. So they are now known as Hot Springs Savage Heat. There are still people out there that think this name is just as offensive. 

  If our school were to change the school mascot I would want it to be changed to Lady Warriors and Warriors so we aren’t losing all of the schools meaning, for example most are proud to be called Warriors and Scarlet’s and if the school had to lose both of the mascots we would lose some school pride; because we would be possibly changing the colors and logos of the school. I know from personal experience that when you walk out of that locker room and you hear people yell for Warriors and Scarlet’s it’s a pride statement the community is proud to call us that. If you think about it almost every school in our area has one school mascot not two. For example Charlo Vikings both guys and girls go by the same mascot Charlo Lady Vikings and Vikings.   Also, Polson Pirates have the same logo for each of their boys and girls.  Our school would have the same logo and meaning, not two different mascot names.

            In conclusion the school community will never be able to 100 percent decide on how to please everyone on regards to mascots. In my opinion I think school mascots are always going to be a issue debated because not everyone will be happy with the decisions that are made, in my essay I discussed how multiple schools on this reservation went through the process of changing their mascot. I also showed how divided those decisions were by showing how one school changed them and the other did not. The point I’m trying to prove is that this is a very sensitive issue and the entire community needs to be involved on the decision making process.

Reece P

Mascot Confliction

                Mascots are popular public figures that are known by many and represent local spirit and pride, but on occasion some people can take a mascot offensively. At the University of North Dakota the mascot “Fighting Sioux” is offensive to some people who attend UND and those who are involved with the Sioux tribe. They believe that the mascot is being misrepresented and is disrespected but others think that its honorable to the Sioux because its showing their toughness and independence as a nation and tribe especially in battle which can now be interpreted to the school’s sports.

                A majority of attendees who attend UND don’t find the “Fighting Sioux” offensive. They tend to find it as a honorable representation of the Sioux tribe. The mascot figure is seen all over the university campus. So therefore changing the university’s key identity would consume tons of time and money. If UND is like most schools right now, they probably don’t have the proper funding to tear apart the campus and buildings in order to replace “Fighting Sioux” symbols, icons, and any present indicators of “Fighting Sioux.”

                Some items are even unchangeable. An excellent example of this would be that of the UND’s gymnasium that was constructed from an outstanding $100 million dollar donation. The rules of that gymnasium state that if the mascot “Fighting Sioux” is no longer used then neither can the gym. (pg 66 America Now). If under some odd circumstances that the gym could still be used there would be “Fighting Sioux” symbol, ones that cannot be replaced or if were decided to be replaced would take extensive work to remove and even then, they possibly couldn’t be fully removed. A prime example of this is the main entrance of the gymnasium on the marble floor are “Fighting Sioux” symbols to remove these would be virtually impossible and would be a constant reminder of what lied there before. So you tell me, is changing the mascot really important enough to lose the gymnasium, an important asset of the University of North Dakota?

                Why is the mascot now all of a sudden a barbaric insult that has basically been the same ascot since the early times of the school’s history, but is just now insulting a noticeable amount of people? Should the University of North Dakota asked the Sioux tribe for their permission? I believe that they should have asked for permission when they first took on the name with the word Sioux in it many years ago but for it to be questioned now to me is absurd. My thoughts and understanding of the mascot situation are that the mascot shouldn’t be required to change at the University of North Dakota because of the amount of money it would take for all the changes, the abandonment of a perfectly good building, and the Sioux tribe took an outstanding amount of time to speak up about their concerns. I feel that what is in the past should be left in the past.

Mahalia H

Mascot Controversy

People have all read in articles or heard on the News about all the different lawsuits and controversy’s about having a mascot that is Native American. The way the media portrays the controversy in the last six years people would think this is a relatively new issue but it’s not; the mascot controversy has been going on for decades. On both side of the controversy most people don’t like Native Americans or a single group being bullied and stereotyped over a mascot. Majority of the people that don’t want to change their mascots because they don’t like change; most people in America don’t like changing especially when it comes to their daily routines but changing native mascots might help Indians from being stereotyped.  Not all Native American mascots’ names have a terrible meaning to it, so why can’t the sports teams keep it?

            Keeping the Native American mascots would save money because schools wouldn’t have to buy new uniforms or have to change the logos that probably hang throughout gyms and fields. Sometimes saving money can be more important than trying to respect a mascot and its meaning. Not all schools have money to throw around and spend it on extracurricular activities when they need new text books. Students will be students when it comes to dressing up as an Indian to mock a rival team. Too many people get hurt feelings over showing school spirit and trying to have an ignescent joke. Schools should get to keep their Native American mascot because changing it can make a school lose its identity like UND (University of North Dakota) did. Mascot controversy even takes place on reservations too.

On the Flathead reservation they have had their own controversy about having Native Americans as mascots in the local high schools. The names the tribe wants to have changed are Savages, Chiefs/ Maidens and Warrior/ Starlets; their logos portray a Native American head. About five years ago the Hot Springs Savages were forced to change their name and their logo because the term “savages” means a person regarded as brutal, fierce, or vicious. The majority of people living in Hot Springs understood why their name must be changed and respected the tribes’ decision; Hot Springs name was racist, hurtful, stereotyping and disrespectful to the tribe. Hot Springs held fund raisers to raise money for new uniforms which they would have had to do eventually and with a little work they got the money to get new uniforms; another bonus was they got a new gym and the school its self didn’t have to pay. Changing their name did not make them lose their school identity; it did the opposite. People living in Hot Springs and on the reservation are happy they changed their name and got a new name with a better meaning. Many people are clueless on how mimicking can be hurtful even if it’s a joke because the Natives Americans are a group of people who want to be respected throughout the U.S. They can’t be respected if mascot logos haunt them everywhere they go because most native mascots betray Native American looks; giving them red skin, long black hair, big nose and feathers in their hair. The other school mascot names on the reservation have not been change but that does not mean it won’t happen in the near future.

With the News covering stories on the mascot controversy it’s letting others aware of what’s happening around them and it can help people understand why the mascots must be changed. Students don’t know that they’re not just mimicking their school rivals when dressing up in stereotyped clothing or making war cry’s sound; but it’s disrespecting a group of people and their beliefs. Not all cases workout when changing a native mascot as smoothly as Hot Springs was. People get emotional attached to these names and logos but it is important that they understand having theses names makes a hard ship for Native Americans. Enforcing all schools, associations and leagues all across America to change their Native American mascot names and logos seems to be the best option.

Jasmine E

Mascots

If you attended a university or school and your mascot was a Native American or had a nickname deriving from a tribe, wouldn’t you be proud that that tribe represented your college? I think that conflict over a nickname or mascot is ridiculous. I can’t see names like Warriors, Savages, Red Skins, etc.  as offensive, and I certainly can’t see Arlee’s logo that way either. So long as the mascot and nickname are respectful. Schools should be proud and honored.  There are some students that believe it’s offensive and would like to change it but a majority of the students see it as a positive aspect, and I agree with them. The students attending UND liked the name and the mascot representing them.  Mascots shouldn’t be an issue.

“When the ‘Fighting Sioux’ lawsuit came about, I had never really thought one way or the other about the nickname- it was a nickname just as any other. But once people started making a big deal out of it, I became very defensive over the nickname. I am proud to be a ‘Fighting Sioux’, and I think the majority of the campus would agree with me in that the name should stay”, Gina Anderson, a UND senior. The students didn’t really see the name or logo as offensive. It is a name that should be kept with pride. Warriors are representing Arlee School and the students/athletes don’t see the name offensively. Students and staff haven’t thought twice about the mascot because being considered a Warrior gives the students a sense of pride when it comes to sports.

“If I were a native Sioux, I would be proud to have my tribe being represented as the mascot of a college who gets national attention. It states they are a tribe that is powerful and fights for their beliefs – not that they are vicious and such. I think they should look at it as more of an honor that a great school such as UND would choose to have their name to represent them as an institution. As long as it’s used in a respectful manner, I think the name should be allowed to be kept,” Stephanie Franzen, and NDSU environmental design senior.  The mascots Warriors/Scarlet’s are focusing on bravery, courage, and leadership. It is representing Arlee School positively, the students are happy with it.

“I am outraged that the Sioux tribes do not feel honored to have one of the nation’s best hockey teams, not to mention the one of the best hockey facilities, named in its honor! To see the ‘Fighting Sioux’ name go would be the end of a legacy and would result in the waste of one of the greatest facilities around,” law student, Melissa Leathers. If they were to change the name ‘Fighting Sioux’, then the Ralph Engelstad Arena will no longer be able to be used by the students. Ralph Engelstad, a hockey player from UND donated 100 million to construct the arena. It is known as the “finest facility of its kind in the world”. He made an agreement with UND, that if the name was kept then the arena shall be used by the faculty and students. In the United States there has been controversy whether mascots should be changed, and it financially impacts them. Universities and colleges around the country make a lot of money selling t-shirts, mugs, etc. with their logo and name. If they were to change it they would be losing money.

With a nickname and mascot as a Native American, you should be proud that your tribe is being represented. The nickname and logo should be kept as long as it is respected and not made fun of.

Arwan, Robert. Ninth Edition America Now Short Readings from Recent Periodicals. 9th ed. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 58-61.

Darian C

Native Americans & Sports Controversy

                Anyone who plays sports, is a fan of sports, or lives in the United States of America is sure to be familiar with teams like the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Washington Redskins, or the Kansas City Chiefs. But what, aside from being well known sports teams, do they all have in common? Nothing much, other than the huge controversy concerning their names and mascots. Get rid of the mascots or don’t? It seems like a simple concept, but it turns out that people have varied opinions on the subject, and I think it is one that has to be given some serious thought.

                There are some who support leaving the names and mascots be, and they have many reasons. Proponents say that the mascots pay respect, and “promote a better understanding of their cultures,” (Wikipedia, Native American mascot controversy). To which in itself could be called a misunderstanding, especially as in the case of the Florida State University Chief Osceola figure, who rides a horse named Renegade. Actually, it could be classified as a “romanticism,” in that the actual Seminole war leader Osceola never was a chief according to historians. To put it plainly, there’s a chance of portraying false information.

                Then there’s the argument that the mascots represent the tribes in a powerful way, and they provide a sense of pride with those affiliated with them. In fact, there was a poll (2004) done by the Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania (similar to that of the Sports Illustrated poll), that found that “91% of American Indians surveyed in the 48 states on the mainland USA didn’t have a problem with the name Redskins.” But does that settle the issue? Reasoning against keeping the mascots says otherwise.

                The NCAI (National Congress of American Indians) believe that such mascots produce negative stereotypes. In April 2001 the U.S Commission on Civil Rights stated, “the stereotyping of any racial, ethnic, religious or other group, when promoted by our public educational institutions, teaches all students that stereotyping of minority groups is acceptable, which is a dangerous lesson in a diverse society.” Stereotyping is not something that should be promoted, even unintentionally. It often creates negative images, and labels people in ways that are hurtful and potentially harmful.  

                A statement partly in protest from the director of diversity for Southern Methodist University, Steven Denson (also a member of the Chickasaw nation) says otherwise. “I believe it is acceptable if used in a way that fosters understanding and increased positive awareness of the Native American culture. And it must also be done with the support of the Native American community. There is a way to achieve a partnership that works together to achieve mutually beneficial goals.”  In general most people are one sided on the issue, so the cooperation of all involved would be needed for that kind of reasoning to work.    

                There was a lot of controversy about the Marquette University Warriors, until they changed the name to the Golden Eagles in 1994. The president of the school said, “We live in a different era than when the Warriors nickname was selected in 1954. The perspective of time has shown us that our actions, intended or not, can offend others. We must not knowingly act in a way that others will believe, based on their experience, to be an attack on their dignity as fellow human beings.”

                Wisconsin in 2010 passed a law to get rid of “race based nicknames, logos and mascots in schools,” but they can argue to keep their “race based mascot if they have permission of local Native American tribes.” I believe this is a good step forward in dealing with the problem. There’s a fine line between respect and stereotyping. A lot of it comes down to opinion and situation, but for me the bottom line is this; if a school’s biggest problem between its students and community members is a mascot, then it needs to be changed.