UPDATE: Please sign this petition (https://www.change.org/p/david-vannasdall-remove-the-apache-emblem-from-arcadia-high-school?signed=true which was made by a AHS alum! (While I am longtime resident of Arcadia, they have more specific information as former students of Arcadia High School.) 

Arcadia High School, located in Arcadia, CA, perpetuates racism by using the Apaches as a mascot. 

Arcadia has a long history of disapproval from Native Americans who take offense that an entire student body identifies themselves under the name "Apaches." In the late 1990s, Native Americans activists, some of whom were Apaches themselves, denounced Arcadia’s use of the Apache name and demanded the school change its mascot. Instead, the Arcadia High School principal and staff members visited Alchesay High School in Fort Apache Indian Reservation, AZ, because they claimed they never heard from “real” Apaches. There, the Arcadia administration received valid and harsh criticism from its so-called "sister school." The ambassadors Arcadia sent to Alchesay High School blatantly disregarded the outcry of students and faculty against the mascot. However, they still returned to Arcadia to misinform everyone that their visit was a great success. Alchesay High School's students and staff later sent out emails highlighting the disrespect and thoughtlessness shown by Arcadia's ambassadors, but these emails were also disregarded by Arcadia's faculty.  

Nonetheless, Arcadia claims they use the Apache name in culturally sensitive way by purporting that the Apaches are an emblem, not a mascot, because designs are approved by an Apache tribe. However, this argument is problematic at best. When the Apache name is painted on school grounds, printed on the uniforms of student teams, and disgraced in the title of the school's student newspaper, the Apache Pow Wow, this so-called emblem functions no differently than a mascot. 

This offense is widely public: Arcadia has thousands of students and even more alumni. The high school band has performed in the Tournament of Roses for many years. The school even hosts a national track meet where thousands of top athletes come and learn that Arcadia High School is okay with teaching demeaning stereotypes of Native Americans. 

In the school's 68-year history, Arcadia has tolerated harmful portrayals of the Apaches, such as the "Apache Joe" mascot, the Apache Pow Wow newspaper, the Apache News, the "Apache Princesses" color guard, and signs like "Scalp the Apaches" from opposing football teams. While the school has parted ways with some of these depictions, the Apaches Pow Wow and Apache News are still in use. Even more disturbing is that "long gone" names are still celebrated, as demonstrated in the Arcadia High School Apache Marching Band and Color Guard's 2015 Facebook post of the Apaches Princesses (who are dressed in culturally appropriated uniforms) with the caption "#paches." 

Arcadia's relationship with the Apaches is not "rooted in respect."

The experts have already spoken and the consensus is clear: Native American mascots normalize bigotry and racism and must be abolished immediately.

Native Americans are people, not mascots.

Demand that Arcadia High School changes its mascot. Email Arcadia Leadership: tinyurl.com/ApachesMascot2 or send them this petition.

• To make sure your voice is heard, please edit the subject so your email is not marked as spam (e.g., add an extra space, exclamation marks, adjectives, synonyms, etc.).
• To make your impact strongest, personalize your message. Identical emails tell leaders that a petition exists. "Organic" emails tells them that people have thought about this issue and want change.
• The email is addressed to the Superintendent, the three Assistant Superintendents, the Principal, the four Assistant Principals, and the Dean of Students.

Thank you for standing against racism.

Please also donate to the White Mountain Apache Tribe if you are able. The tribe has the highest COVID-19 infection rate in the country and are in need of essentials like masks, hand sanitizer, gloves, cleaning supplies, etc.