Wisconsin's new mascot law has only been on the books for three months but it's already having an impact on schools that use "Indian" imagery.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction ordered the Osseo Fairchild School District to eliminate its "Chieftain" nickname and logo. The decision was the first under the new law.

The department was about to hold a hearing on the "Kewaunee Indians" mascot but the Kewaunee School District decided to get rid of it anyway. And action is pending on the "Indian" mascot in the Mukwonago School District.

The bill sets up a process by which a resident of a school district can complain about a mascot, symbol or imagery. The state superintendent would decide whether the usage is offensive.

A school will have a year to change the offensive mascot, symbol or imagery. Extensions are allowed for financial issues. Otherwise, the school can be fined up to $1,000 a day for refusing to change

The bill contains an exception for schools that receive permission from a namesake tribe.

Get the Story:
2 school districts losing American Indian mascots (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 8/4)
Kewaunee to Change Logo (WBAY-TV 8/3)

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Wisconsin school ordered to stop use of 'Chieftains' nick and logo (7/27)
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