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MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2001

Betty Ann Gross has waged a one-woman campaign against Indian mascots, logos and other themes at schools in South Dakota.

While many -- non-Indian and Indian alike -- question her tactics, she has been successful at convincing nine out of 13 schools she has targeted. The rest, she threatens, she will file a lawsuit against.

Of the group, the Watertown School District has been one of Gross' biggest battles. The high school has a "Ki Yi Legend" which involves two invented tribes.

After months of debate, the board decided to keep the legend but get rid of some aspects. Gross says the changes aren't enough.

Local outcries against the Woonsocket School Board's decision to get rid of a "Redskins" mascot was a flashpoint for a while as well. The issue has since died down as the school board rescinded its decision and appointed a task force to study the issue.

Get the Story:
Woman wages lonely fight against Indian mascots in S.D. (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 8/26)
Schools working to avoid lawsuit (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 8/26)
Calm returns to divided Woonsocket (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 8/26)