Kickapoo High School's name was chosen in 1971 in recognition of its Kickapoo history:

"Opened in 1971, the name of Springfield Public Schools' youngest high school is drawn from the history and tradition of the land upon which the school is located. In the early 1800s, this land, known as the Kickapoo Prairie, was inhabited by the Kickapoo Indian tribe with a large village located in the approximate area of the school grounds. The area was the center of an Indian trace running from St. Louis to the Arkansas River -- a trace used by several Native American tribes during their winter hunting trips.

The school's mascot, the Chief, is derived from the highest designation of the historical Kickapoo people. Even the school colors are tied to the past, with the colors of dark brown and sunburst gold representing the tones of earth and sun -- elements essential to the farming tribe for which the school is named."

We feel the school name and mascot name serve to honor, not disparage, the area's history including the Kickapoo people. We reject the notion that it represents "cultural appropriation."