Wis. school's Indian logo still a sore subject

Two Indian students in Wisconsin say they were the target of racist slurs for opposing their school's Chieftain logo.

Sage and Molly Montana are members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. They attend the Osseo-Fairchild High School in Osseo, Wisconsin, whose logo is an Indian head.

The local community is divided over the use of the logo, which was voted down in a public vote but then reinstated by the school board. The father of the two girls says he will file suit against the logo.

A review by the Associated Press found that two-thirds of the 58 public schools in Wisconsin with Indian mascots have made some sort of change over the past decade.

The profile of the American Indian chief wearing a headdress is painted on a wall of the Osseo-Fairchild High School gym

OSSEO, Wis. - The profile of the American Indian chief wearing a headdress is painted on a wall of the Osseo-Fairchild High School gym. While that's the only place in the school visitors see the logo, its effect on this rural community is felt well outside those walls.

It's been more than a year since the conflict over the logo began, but many residents say the western Wisconsin community of about 5,000 is still divided.

"People are sick of it because it's tearing everybody apart," said 17-year-old Jason Johnson, who graduated from the school this year.

Robert Proctor, also a recent graduate, said his friend's parents stopped talking to him after he wrote an article in the school paper in favor of the logo.

The chieftain head does not discriminate against American Indian students and is a symbol of school pride, he said.

Sage and Molly Montana, members of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, said they were called racist names after their family came out against the logo.

"You don't even want to go to school," said Sage Montana, 17.

Molly Montana, 15, said the image stereotypes American Indian students.

"It's not like Native American people walk around in headdresses," she said.

The chieftain head became the school's logo when the Osseo and Fairchild districts merged in 1968.

But after the state attorney general issued an opinion in the early 1990s saying American Indian mascots, logos and nicknames in public schools could violate a state law that prohibits discrimination against students, the school gradually stopped using the logo on school equipment and materials.

It didn't become an issue until the school built a new gym - without the chieftain head logo.

Logo supporters began a petition drive asking the district to bring the chieftain head back. Thousands signed.

In July 2002, a logo committee, made up of residents, students and district workers, recommended a compromise. The letters "OF" would become the high school's official logo, but the chieftain head and Fairchild High School's purple dragon logo were painted on the gym wall to honor past alumni.

Chieftain head logo supporters weren't pleased with the compromise and petitioned for a recall election. In November, four of five school board members were recalled in an election with the highest turnout in district history.

The new board reinstated the logo in February.

Gary Montana, the girls' father and a lawyer, said he planned to file a lawsuit claiming the logo violates state anti-discrimination laws.

"I wasn't so much against the logo until I saw how the community's behaved and that behavior has told me there's still a good deal of racism in the community," he said.

For now, the chieftain head remains the official logo.

Rollie Colby, who was elected to the school board in the recall, said the district has used the logo sensitively - keeping it off the gym floor and team uniforms.

He said the board would change the logo if it felt a majority of the community wanted it changed.

Harvey and Carol Gunderson, retired professors working to change the logo, said the fight is a civil rights issue.

Harvey Gunderson was arrested for disorderly conduct during the meeting when the school board reinstated the logo, after he tried to read a statement against it.

"For human rights issues, that shouldn't be determined by referendum," he said. "We're getting a reputation as being one of those communities that has to be brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century."

WISCONSIN OUTFRONT:
Schools change American Indian logos,
some with conflict

MILWAUKEE - Nearly two-thirds of the 58 Wisconsin public high schools using American Indian logos a decade ago have now removed at least some of that imagery, a change marked in several communities by protests and upheaval.

American Indian activists say they are encouraged by the moves.

"Anything that moves people to think about this issue is a good thing, is a step forward," said Barb Munson, chairwoman of the Wisconsin Indian Education Association's Indian Mascot and Logo Taskforce and a member of Oneida tribe.

An Associated Press review found that during the 1992-93 school year, 58 of the 431 public high schools in the state's high school athletic association used American Indian nicknames and logos. The AP found that since then:

• Six high schools have replaced their American Indian nicknames and logos.

• Thirty-two schools have kept their nicknames, but have replaced or are gradually replacing their American Indian logos.

• Twenty have retained their American Indian nicknames and logos.

For Rollie Colby, an Osseo-Fairchild School District board member, the chieftain head logo used by his high school honors - rather than dishonors - the community's American Indians.

"I went here K-12 and that has clearly been a focus of school pride," he said.

However, Molly Montana, a 15-year-old American Indian student at Osseo-Fairchild, said the image stereotypes students like her.

"It's not like Native American people walk around in headdresses," she said.

Logo changes in the Osseo-Fairchild, Milton and Menomonie school districts led to protests and recall elections of school board members.

The Osseo-Fairchild school board voted in July 2002 to change its chieftain head logo to the letters "OF." In November, voters upset by the change recalled four board members in the western Wisconsin district. The new board reinstated the logo in a tumultuous meeting during which one protester was arrested.

Colby, who was elected in the recall, said many residents felt ignored when the school board changed the logo. He said the district uses the chieftain head logo sensitively, for example putting it on the gym wall, but not on the floor.

"To me, it was pretty obvious that the community in general, as well as the Native American community, was supportive," he said.

In the southern Wisconsin town of Milton, the board members dropped the Redmen nickname and American Indian logo, which they considered racially insensitive. Students chose Red Hawks as the replacement nickname and logo.

Supporters of the old logo said the school made the switch without adequate public comment and petitioned for a recall in 2000. The three school board members targeted in the recall election survived, as did the Red Hawks nickname and logo.

In Menomonie in western Wisconsin, three school board members were recalled in 1997 after they sided with students who tried unsuccessfully to switch the school's nickname and logo from Indians to Mustangs.

In some districts, the change has gone smoothly. Milwaukee Custer High School, for example, changed its nickname and logo from Indians to Cougars in the early 1990s when advocates were first asking for change, athletic director Andrew Rossa said. The shift was easier than in other districts, he said, partly because the school has fewer alumni followers and a weaker tradition.

At Black Hawk High School, the warriors nickname and American Indian head logo has generated few complaints, principal and athletic director Jerry Mortimer said. The name and nickname pay homage to the southwest Wisconsin town's history, he said. Just west of the village in 1832, Chief Black Hawk ordered a group of Indians to attack white settlers.

American Indians comprise less than a percent of the state's population. Munson said that makes it difficult for them to generate enough support for change when communities are resistant.

"Just think what it means for one of those families to come forward with a complaint," Munson said. "They are targeting their own children for further abuse and they're also targeting any other (Indian) family that's in the community."

Sage Montana, a 17-year-old student in Osseo and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, said people called her racist names after she came out against the chieftain head logo.

"When an issue like that is brought up, you can just see the racism going on in the whole community," she said.

Ultimately, it's up to the school districts to decide whether to keep their American Indian logo and nickname.

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, which governs high school athletics, bans human mascots from pantomiming American Indian rituals or spiritual activities, but does not ban the mascots outright, Executive Director Doug Chickering said. None of the schools the AP contacted said they had an American Indian mascot.

"That's some long-standing unofficial advice to give to people: It might not be the name itself that's offensive. It might be the logo or caricature that's offensive. So clean them up," Chickering said.

In 1992, then-Attorney General Jim Doyle issued an opinion saying that American Indian mascots, logos and nicknames in public schools could violate a state law that prohibits discrimination against students.

In 1994, DPI Superintendent John Benson urged school districts to stop using American Indian nicknames, mascots and logos. He said public schools should not promote stereotypes.

For more than a decade, state Rep. Frank Boyle, D-Superior, has introduced bills banning the use of American Indian nicknames, mascots and logos, but none have passed committee.

Boyle introduced a bill in May to make it easier for people to challenge school districts' use of nicknames, logos and mascots they regard as discriminatory.

"At this time, the bill has gone nowhere," Boyle said. "It is such a volatile political issue that no one is willing to take a stand to help us."

"Indian" Mascot and Logo Task Force Supports Boyle
Proposal Tackles Use of Ethnic Logos & Mascots

This morning, Rep. Frank Boyle introduced a bill that a school district resident may object to school board's use of an ethnic name, nickname, logo, or mascot by filing a complaint with the state superintendent of public instruction. The Wisconsin Indian Education Association (WIEA) "Indian" Mascot and Logo Task Force applauds the efforts of Rep. Boyle. Barbara Munson, chair of the task force states, "We see this bill as improving the complaint process through direct appeal to the state superintendent by setting 45 day time limits and by shifting the burden of proof from the complainant to the school district."

The introduction of this legislation is important and timely because there are communities currently struggling with the use of "Indian" mascots in their schools. In places where the inappropriate nature of these logos are challenged, there have been school board recalls, community division, inter-cultural misunderstanding, damage to American Indian children residing in the communities, and degradation of the communities as a whole. Although Wisconsin Indian leaders, educators, and allies are on the cutting edge of the "Indian" mascot issue, voices continue to be stifled. This legislation is important because it keeps the issue in the forefront of the political realm. Thereby, offering another avenue of discussion.

Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, WIEA "Indian" Mascot and Logo Task Force, and the Youth "Indian" Mascot and Logo Task Force pledge to stay with the issue until all "Indian" logos, mascots, and nicknames are eliminated from Wisconsin public schools. Ignoring the issue will not make it go away…ignoring the voices of American Indians will not make us go away.

Though long overdue, there is no better time than the present to start working together to affect positive social change.

Youth "Indian" Mascot and Logo Task Force Testimony provided at Press Conference for Boyles Proposal That Tackles Use of Ethnic Logos & Mascots

Christine Munson, Oneida Tribal member and chair of the Youth "Indian" Mascot and Logo Task Force spoke at a press release this morning that introduced a proposal by Rep. Boyle. The proposed bill allows a school district resident to object to the school board's use of an ethnic name, nickname, logo, or mascot by filing a complaint with the state superintendent of public instruction. The following is the written testimony provided by Christine Munson.

A website mini-movie was launched by the GOP a few weeks ago. It portrayed Governor Doyle as a bobble-head, and criticized the Indian gaming compact negations. An image of a tomahawk flying through the air at a Wisconsin taxpayer, with the statement, "As taxpayers, we got scalped" was dubbed in. Democrats, republicans, American Indian tribal leaders, citizen groups, and American Indian organizations immediately pointed out the stereotypes and racist remark in the video and demanded remediation.

What amazes me is that over the span of 3 days there was the release of the video, the public outrage, followed by the removal of the mini-movie from the GOP web site. Yet, children are allowed to go into and out of schools with equally offensive, derogatory, stereotypical images of Indian people. This is coupled with the school chants and racist rhetoric that occurs in the halls.

Perhaps we say politics is politics - things are assumed to get ugly - nothing is too dirty in politics. However, in an educational setting…NOT SO! Stereotypes and racism should not be tolerated. "Indian" mascots, logos and nicknames should NOT be tolerated. It is time to stop the hypocrisy. Schools tout teaching tolerance and the acceptance of people regardless of their culture or background…they cannot adequately do this with "Indian" mascots, nicknames or logos as part of their educational setting. These images and nicknames need to be pulled from the public schools like the mini-video was pulled from the GOP web site.

I thank Rep Frank Boyle for his continued effort in the state legislature on this issue. I challenge the assembly and senate to seriously look at the similarities between the GOP's pulled video and the Indian mascots in the public schools. It is not a stretch. I also challenge the legislature and the people of Wisconsin to support Rep. Boyle's bill which will make the process of filing a discrimination complaint based on the use of an ethnic mascot more efficient and fair.

Yaw^ko. Thank you.

DATE: March 13, 2003

TO: All Legislators

FROM: Rep. Frank Boyle

RE: LRB 0948/1, relating to the use of ethnic names, nicknames, logos and mascots by school boards

I will once again be introducing legislation to prohibit discrimination in our public schools by using ethnic logos, nicknames and mascots. The issue continues to be controversial in many areas of the state, resulting in costly recall elections of school board members. A review procedure must be set up and I believe this bill does that.

If you are interested in co-sponsoring this proposal, please contact my office at 6-0640 or respond to this e-mail.

Current law prohibits discrimination against pupils on a number of grounds, including race and ancestry. This bill provides that a school district resident may object to a school board ' s use of an ethnic name, nickname, logo, or mascot by filing a complaint with the state superintendent of pupil instruction (state superintendent). The state superintendent must schedule a hearing on the complaint, at which the school board has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the use of the ethnic name, nickname, logo, or mascot does not promote discrimination, pupil harassment, or stereotyping. If the state superintendent finds in favor of the complainant, the state superintendent must order the school board to terminate its use of the ethnic name, nickname, logo, or mascot within 12 months after issuance of the order. A school board is subject to a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 for each day that it uses the ethnic name, nickname, logo, or mascot in violation of the order. The decision of the state superintendent is subject to circuit court review.

For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

PROTEST AGAINST REINSTATEMENT OF INDIAN HEAD LOGO

Prior to a boy's basketball game (Osseo-Fairchild vs. Colby) At Osseo-Fairchild High School, Osseo, WI Friday, February 28

Last year the Osseo-Fairchild school board voted 5-2 to accept a community committee's compromise proposal to keep the Chieftain name but rid the school of the Indian Head logo. This led to a recall of 4 of the 5 school board members who voted to drop the Indian head (only 4 were eligible for the recall). The new school board this past Monday in a specially called meeting voted to reinstate the Indian Head. Please join us in protesting this action. We need your support....

Bill would ban 'squaw' names

To many, Squaw Peak is a great place to hike and the Squaw Peak Freeway is a way to zip through town.

But to Native Americans, those are symbols of what needs to change. They long have blasted the use of "squaw," saying the term is offensive.

Now 15 lawmakers want to block the state, counties and municipalities from using the word when naming any landmark, street or highway.

House Bill 2424 also would prevent the name from being used for historical sites, parks or recreation areas, or other publicly funded facilities.

And if approved, the Phoenix peak and the freeway would have to be renamed by late 2006.

"Most people, particularly Indian people, will say the word is demeaning and offensive, especially to Indian women," said Rep. Jack Jackson Jr., D-Window Rock, who introduced the bill.

The idea has been tried several times in the past and failed. But Jackson hopes that lawmakers this time around will "look at what Indian people feel the word means to them . . . the word is demeaning."

With more than 1,000 sites around the country that include the word "squaw," he said, "it's an issue that is not going to go away."

• American Indian Sports Team Mascots http://earnestman.tripod.com/1indexpage.htm

• "Little drops of rain wear away the greatest of stones." End Racial bigotry NOW! http://ishgooda.org/racial/

• "Indian" Mascot and Logo Taskforce http://pages.prodigy.net/munson/

• SEOklahoma University http://www.sosu.edu/slife/savages/

• Monroe Gilmour, Coordinator http://www.main.nc.us/wncceib/

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Carol Gunderson, and about 24 others protested a meeting of the Osseo-Fairchild school board on Monday. The board voted in a rare afternoon meeting to reinstate the controversial Chieftain logo pending an advisory referendum later this spring.

OSSEO , Wis.-- Residents of the Osseo-Fairchild school district will put their opinions of the controversial Chieftain logo to a vote later this spring after the school board reinstated the caricature pending an advisory referendum.

Logo opponents vowed to sue the school board after it voted 5-1 Monday to reinstate the logo during an afternoon meeting.

Board Vice President Duane Merritt was the lone vote opposing the nonbinding referendum. During the meeting board President Brian Boehnen repeatedly asked Merritt why he wasnt in favor of gathering input from his constituents.

"I don't need a referendum to tell me what is right or wrong," Merritt said. "We certainly don't want to discriminate against anybody."

Board Clerk Rollie Colby, one of four members elected in a recall race last November, said the board needs to base its decisions on the majority opinion.

Matt Stewart...from La Crosse, countered, "Should the Emancipation Proclamation have been put to a vote?"

The board won't act out of fear of being sued because there is no evidence proving the logo is hurtful, Colby said.

Board member Linda Hagedorn voted for the referendum, along with Colby, Boehnen and members Larry Moen and Curt Skoyen. Board Treasurer Gracia Anderson was absent.

"I see both sides of the story," Hagedorn said. "I know the people's voice is important, but everybody should be treated equally."

Though reinstated, the logo wont be placed on athletic jerseys or painted on the gymnasium floor, Colby said. However, he said it is permissible now for students to wear clothing with the logo to school.

"The board is not convinced that it is a civil rights discriminatory issue," he said.

A member of the group American Indians and Other Patriotic Americans Against Indian Logos said the group plans to sue the board before the referendum, which could come as early as the April 1 general election.

"Every time that we see a piece of clothing with an Indian head logo on it, it is like a slap in the face of American Indians and the families of those Indians," said Harvey Gunderson, whose wife Carol belongs to the Oneida Nation.

Gunderson was arrested for disorderly conduct during the meeting after he tried to read from a prepared statement.

"I'm willing to go to jail to make a point here," said Gunderson, who was released pending a court appearance.

The Gundersons were among about 24 people who protested with signs outside the high school before the meeting.

Logo opponents questioned the timing of the meeting, which was announced Friday. They wondered why the meeting was held without Anderson, who may have opposed the referendum.

"I just don't like the conduct," said Osseo resident Ron Henry, who was escorted peacefully from the meeting by police.

Colby said Boehnen and Superintendent Kerry Jacobson had the right to restrict public input. He said Boehnen thought the board had received enough public comment at previous meetings and needed to move forward with the referendum.

Boehnen declined to comment after Monday's meeting.

The special meeting was held because several members will be out of town in the coming weeks, Colby said.

The issue has created considerable controversy in recent years. Four previous members of the board were recalled after they voted last July to remove the logo, which had been phased out in recent years.

Jacobson said he's heard opposing arguments from students but most just want the issue to be over with.

"Try and think of it from the kids perspective," Jacobson said. "This issue is a tough one."

Mishicot to keep Indian mascot

MISHICOT - Mishicot High School is still the home of the Indians.

The school board decided unanimously Monday night to retain the Native American name and logo, just two weeks after the high school site-based committee recommended the retirement of the 60-year-old moniker.

The Policy Committee now has the task of gathering input from the community in order to develop a policy on use of the Indian logo and name, Superintendent Tony Klaubauf said.

The committee likely will use the usage policy at Kewaunee High School as a starting point. When the Kewaunee School District decided to retain its Indian mascot several years ago, its board created a policy regulating its use in order to be sensitive and still promote community pride.

Klaubauf anticipated a usage policy in Mishicot by July 1.

The Indian name currently is used in the yearbook. A logo of an Indian head and headdress is on conference banners and the gym wall. It is not on any of the school's athletic apparel or equipment.

Klaubauf made the decision to omit the Indian name and logo from athletic uniforms about four years ago, just in case the district would be forced to eliminate the usage.

The site-based committee had investigated the mascot issue for a year as a matter of school spirit. They acquired much data opposing the use of Native American mascots. However, results of student surveys indicated a strong interest in keeping the Indian name.

At least 40 people from the community attended Monday's meeting. All those who addressed the board spoke to retain the mascot. It's a symbol of the community and a source of pride, many said.

"There were no comments to the opposite," Klaubauf said.

A variety of people had acquired more than 800 signatures from the community in support of the mascot.

• American Indian Sports Team Mascots
  http://earnestman.tripod.com/1indexpage.htm
  "Little drops of rain wear away the greatest of stones."
• End Racial bigotry NOW!
  http://ishgooda.org/racial/
• "Indian" Mascot and Logo Taskforce
  http://pages.prodigy.net/munson/
• SEOklahoma University
  http://www.sosu.edu/slife/savages/
• Monroe Gilmour, Coordinator
  http://www.main.nc.us/wncceib/
• UND BRIDGES
  http://www.und.edu/org/span/bridges/main.html List info at: http://nativenewsonline.org/natnews.htm