Hello everybody, I want to thank you all for your overwhelming support. We are close to 2000 signatures so please keep sharing!
Right now, we need to continue emailing the school board (boe@cmsd12.rg), Superintendent Walt Cooper (cooper@cmsd12.org) and Principal Carrie Brenner (Cbrenner@cmsd12.org). We also need to FLOOD media outlets like the Denver Post, KRDO, CBS Denver, KOAA, KKTC, Denver 7, etc. Be persistent with your call to action. We need to get the word out and hopefully pressure from the media will force the school board to listen to us and take action sooner. Finally, one of the priorities of this petition is to amplify Indigenous voices so if you would like/feel comfortable to make a statement please reach out to me.
I also wanted to take a moment to address some concerns that were raised to me by many people. Firstly, we can change our mascot AND also honor our ties with different Native tribes and non-profits. This petition is not meant to minimize the resilience of Native Americans and their impact on the school. We are not trying to ban Eddie Three Eagles from playing his beautiful music at assemblies. The school should designate a few days every year to raise awareness by bringing Native guests to speak on how to respectfully appreciate the history and culture of tribes like the Cheyenne Nation (located in Oklahoma and Montana) and the two local tribes in Colorado (Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute). Participating in a ceremony led by Native Americans is not the same as supporting a mascot that represents a race of people and calling ourselves “Indians for life”. This form of appropriation and entitlement over the cultures of people who’s trauma is ongoing and irreversible perpetuates the invisibility of the First People.
I would also encourage the BOE to include a class on the comprehensive history of Indigenous people in the United States. Many alumni, including myself, did not receive education on this crucial group of people beyond the beginnings of America in our social studies classes.
Mascots are typically represented by animals, stripping the humanity from a race that has undergone a 400 year genocide. Native Americans are also being portrayed in a way that creates an illusion that these people are artifacts of the past. These are real humans with real stories and they live in our community.
Lastly, this is not a political matter. It is a human dignity issue.
Although the goal of this petition is to change the mascot, I am hopeful that this symbolic action will spark a long-overdue conversation. Cheyenne Mountain High School must address deep-rooted issues that it has perpetuated for years against BIPOC, economically disadvantaged families and other minorities.
Again thank you for your support. Let’s keep up this momentum! I have attached some resources and relief funds below :)
Respectfully,
Amiya
apeddada@trinity.edu
Instagram = am1ya
Resources:
The Harmful Psychological Effects of the Washington Football Mascot
A Conversation With Native Americans on Race
This is What Dehumanization Looks Like
True Native American/American History And Why The U.S. Government Is Always Hiding It
Impacts of Racialized Mascots on Native Youth
Relief funds and donations:
Navajo Nation COVID-19 Relief Fund
National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
Native American Heritage Center
Native Services Boys and Girls Club