Minocqua- The Lakeland School Board has reversed itself and now supports a statewide ban on Native American logos and mascots usage by public schools.
Action came Monday after Administrator Rob Way reported that the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Council wants the high school board to support a related resolution to be presented at the Wisconsin Association of School Boards’ annual convention in January.
Sponsored by the Wausau School District, the measure calls for legislation banning the use of Native American mascots, logos and nicknames by public schools. Using Native American nicknames can be “a form of discrimination, oppression and racism,” says the proposed resolution. An informational sheet distributed with the proposed resolution says 31 public schools in Wisconsin currently use Native American imagery or nicknames. Of the 31, 10 use “Indians,” while eight others use “Chief” or “Chieftains.” Four others use “Warriors.”
But neither LUHS, which calls itself the “T-Birds,” nor the Lac du Flambeau Elementary School, which says it’s the “home of the Warriors,” is on that list.
The LdF school’s enrollment is nearly all Native American children. The tribal council does not object to the “Thunderbirds” nickname, it was reported. The LUHS board voted 6-2 to support the resolution. Jon Berg and Barry Seidel voted in opposition. Board president Ed Schaub was absent.
At the Sept. 23 board meeting, the resolution was listed as informational purposes only. However, at least three board members objected to a state-mandate banning race-based nicknames, etc. Barb Peck, who earlier voiced opposition to any state ban, said she was voting “yes” Monday in deference to the tribal council’s wishes. Gary Smith, who earlier appeared neutral on the resolution, said Monday he now favors supporting the resolution.
Members did not address the possibility that if such legislation took place, that both the LdF public school and the high school would have to select new nicknames.
