Oregon lawmakers: STOP Promoting the use of INDIAN MASCOTS in Oregon's Public Schools

The Issue

THE OPINION OF THE FEW DOES NOT OUTWEIGH THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OTHERS!  We stand as Native People and Allies against the use of Indian Mascots in Oregon.

 

avatar of the starter
Se-ah-dom EdmoPetition Starter
Media inquiries
This petition had 207 supporters

The Issue

THE OPINION OF THE FEW DOES NOT OUTWEIGH THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OTHERS!  We stand as Native People and Allies against the use of Indian Mascots in Oregon.

 

avatar of the starter
Se-ah-dom EdmoPetition Starter
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

Representative Chris Garrett
Representative Chris Garrett
Responded
“April 9, 2013 Thank you for contacting my office about the use of Native American symbols as mascots in Oregon’s public schools. In 2012, the Oregon Board of Education voted to ban the use of Native American mascots, nicknames, and logos. Schools that fail to comply with the new policy risk losing their state funding. Several of my colleagues in the legislature have responded by introducing bills designed to curb the effect of this policy. Both House Bill 3397 and Senate Bill 215, as amended, would permit the use of a mascot that represents or is associated with a Native American tribe under specified circumstances. The Senate measure, which is likely to receive a floor vote shortly, would allow the use of Native mascots pursuant to an agreement between the school and the tribal government of the closest federally-recognized tribe. While I understand that there is no clear consensus on this issue among Oregon’s tribes, I am very sensitive to the implications of appropriating cultural images in this manner. I am also hesitant to allow a single organization to authorize the use of Native symbols on behalf of the state’s entire tribal population. My office is tracking this issue very closely and I will keep your comments in mind if either of these measures should make it to the House floor. Please be in touch with further questions or comments, and again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. Sincerely, Chris Garrett State Representative House District 38 ”
Representative Kim Thatcher
Representative Kim Thatcher
Representative Tina Kotek
Representative Tina Kotek
Senate President Pro Tempore Ginny Burdick
Senate President Pro Tempore Ginny Burdick
Senate President Peter Courtney
Senate President Peter Courtney

Petition Updates

Share this petition

Petition created on March 29, 2013