Post by Okwes on Apr 5, 2007 15:12:37 GMT -5
Bell Supports Local Schools’ Rights To Choose Native American Mascots
By: KEVIN KISER
Source: The Monroe County Advocate
04-04-2007
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There has been much debate over the years about the usage of references to Native Americans in sports.
Many argue that it is offensive to use Native American characters as mascots and school nicknames while many argue it should be considered an honor. Right or wrong the debate has filtered through all levels with actions being taken on some.
The Washington Redskins have been allowed to remain the Redskins in the NFL, however many NCAA institutions have been forced to replace their mascots and names or be forced to give up their right to participate in the post season.
Now it has filtered down to the public school level with activists asking the Tennessee General Assembly to ban K-12 schools from using Native American references.
There are approximately 100 Tennessee public schools that use American Indian/Alaskan Native mascots in their slogans and/or symbols.
In Monroe County there are two, Sequoyah High School Chiefs and Madisonville Intermediate School Braves.
Not only is there a principle at stake, schools would incur a huge expense if they had to change their nicknames.
Sequoyah High School Principal Maurice Moser said financially it would be devastating to Sequoyah, because everything has either the name Sequoyah or Chiefs on it. Sports uniforms, school stationary and letterheads, even the signs out front would have to be changed.
“The school colors would be the only thing that could be kept,” said Moser.
Moser, Madisonville Intermediate Principal Tim Blankenship, and Monroe County Director of Schools Mitch Millsaps have all said that if the ban on Native American references is passed into law they would make all the necessary changes and would willingly abide by the decision.
Tom Kunesh, an activist in Chattanooga, went before the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs and on March 17 the commission voted to support a resolution for the discontinuation of Native American Indian mascots in the State of Tennessee.
The meeting minutes posted on the TCIA Web site stated, “The Commission of Indian Affairs request the Tennessee Human Rights Commission and the Tennessee Department of Education also to strongly urge all Tennessee schools using Native American Indian related mascots to discontinue such names and imagery by June 2009.”
But Russ Townsend, member of the Tribal Historic Preservation Council of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians commented on the issue and said that they would be willing to make a formal appeal to the Legislature on behalf of Sequoyah High School.
“We have more important issues to deal with within our nation to worry about what a high school in East Tennessee has named their school,” said Townsend. State Rep. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, has taken up the cause of the schools in his district, McMinn and Monroe counties.
Bell has introduced legislation that would ban the state from ever forcing schools to give up Native American references.
“It leaves it up to the local governments,” Bell said of House Bill 133 and its Senate bill companion. “I just want to protect our local school’s rights.”
If passed Bell’s bill would allow local school boards to decide whether to keep their Native American nicknames and references.
Sequoyah High School supporters can point to support more than a decade ago from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in its request to name the school.
This letter was sent to the Monroe County Board of Education Steering Committee members on Feb. 15, 1994, from then Principal Chief Jonathan L. Taylor:
Dear Steering Committee Members, This week I was informed that funding has been appropriated for a new high school. It is my understanding that you are considering the name “Sequoyah High School Chiefs.”
It is certainly rewarding to see future achievements in the field of education.
Your efforts to honor Sequoyah are most gratifying. On behalf of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, I would like to extend my full support in honoring our great leader, Sequoyah. Throughout the years, I have completely supported the Braves and did not find the name used offensively. It would be an honor for me to support your committee in your efforts of the naming your new high school the “Sequoyah High School Chiefs.”
Please continue to inform me of your success in this endeavor and I wish you much success as you pursue your educational institution.
By: KEVIN KISER
Source: The Monroe County Advocate
04-04-2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There has been much debate over the years about the usage of references to Native Americans in sports.
Many argue that it is offensive to use Native American characters as mascots and school nicknames while many argue it should be considered an honor. Right or wrong the debate has filtered through all levels with actions being taken on some.
The Washington Redskins have been allowed to remain the Redskins in the NFL, however many NCAA institutions have been forced to replace their mascots and names or be forced to give up their right to participate in the post season.
Now it has filtered down to the public school level with activists asking the Tennessee General Assembly to ban K-12 schools from using Native American references.
There are approximately 100 Tennessee public schools that use American Indian/Alaskan Native mascots in their slogans and/or symbols.
In Monroe County there are two, Sequoyah High School Chiefs and Madisonville Intermediate School Braves.
Not only is there a principle at stake, schools would incur a huge expense if they had to change their nicknames.
Sequoyah High School Principal Maurice Moser said financially it would be devastating to Sequoyah, because everything has either the name Sequoyah or Chiefs on it. Sports uniforms, school stationary and letterheads, even the signs out front would have to be changed.
“The school colors would be the only thing that could be kept,” said Moser.
Moser, Madisonville Intermediate Principal Tim Blankenship, and Monroe County Director of Schools Mitch Millsaps have all said that if the ban on Native American references is passed into law they would make all the necessary changes and would willingly abide by the decision.
Tom Kunesh, an activist in Chattanooga, went before the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs and on March 17 the commission voted to support a resolution for the discontinuation of Native American Indian mascots in the State of Tennessee.
The meeting minutes posted on the TCIA Web site stated, “The Commission of Indian Affairs request the Tennessee Human Rights Commission and the Tennessee Department of Education also to strongly urge all Tennessee schools using Native American Indian related mascots to discontinue such names and imagery by June 2009.”
But Russ Townsend, member of the Tribal Historic Preservation Council of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians commented on the issue and said that they would be willing to make a formal appeal to the Legislature on behalf of Sequoyah High School.
“We have more important issues to deal with within our nation to worry about what a high school in East Tennessee has named their school,” said Townsend. State Rep. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, has taken up the cause of the schools in his district, McMinn and Monroe counties.
Bell has introduced legislation that would ban the state from ever forcing schools to give up Native American references.
“It leaves it up to the local governments,” Bell said of House Bill 133 and its Senate bill companion. “I just want to protect our local school’s rights.”
If passed Bell’s bill would allow local school boards to decide whether to keep their Native American nicknames and references.
Sequoyah High School supporters can point to support more than a decade ago from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in its request to name the school.
This letter was sent to the Monroe County Board of Education Steering Committee members on Feb. 15, 1994, from then Principal Chief Jonathan L. Taylor:
Dear Steering Committee Members, This week I was informed that funding has been appropriated for a new high school. It is my understanding that you are considering the name “Sequoyah High School Chiefs.”
It is certainly rewarding to see future achievements in the field of education.
Your efforts to honor Sequoyah are most gratifying. On behalf of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, I would like to extend my full support in honoring our great leader, Sequoyah. Throughout the years, I have completely supported the Braves and did not find the name used offensively. It would be an honor for me to support your committee in your efforts of the naming your new high school the “Sequoyah High School Chiefs.”
Please continue to inform me of your success in this endeavor and I wish you much success as you pursue your educational institution.