This petition has been created to advocate for the Sandusky Jr./Sr. High, a.k.a Sandusky “Redskins”. We are asking to change the mascot. We are asking that the school stop the cultural racism and discriminatory educational practices towards Native American lives.

There are several reasons why the Indigenous people of this land should not be made into caricatures or mascots but most importantly, “I am not your mascot”. “We are not your mascot” "No people, race, culture, religion or spirituality should not be a mascot". Native Americans are Human Beings that are alive today, whose Ancestors survived genocide and died to protect our traditional way of life. It is said that this mascot and others are to “Honor Us”. There are other ways to honor the Indigenous people of this continent, such as “Honoring our Treaties” or not bulldozing through our sacred sites. Perhaps starting scholarships to help our youth attend college as we have the highest rates of poverty in the nation. But making Native Americans "people" into mascots or caricatures are not honoring us. It is demeaning and does not properly represent who we are. It has been proven by the American Psychological Association that such mascots, actually harm our youth and teach non-native youth that cultural appropriation is socially acceptable.

No one's culture should be for sale, nor should it be available for just anyone to take and decide what is “honorable” or “noble” because someone assumes it is acceptable to appropriate a race of people culture and beliefs. The Indigenous people of this land have suffered, been knocked down to their knees, but we are still here and we DO EXIST. Our way of life, our ceremonies, our traditions, our language, our teachings all are very sacred to us and having such a mascot. Stereotyping undermines the true education a student may possibly receive but has been clouded by the school’s ill perception of what an Indigenous person is. Native American lives are not a costume. Native American lives are NOT a mascot.

If you can, please call and state why you believe Sandusky Jr./Sr. High needs to change their mascot.

Sandusky Jr./Sr. High: 810-648-3400

Sanilac Board of Education: 810-648-2200    

Michigan Department of Civil Rights: 1-800-482-3604