Opinion: 'Indians' mascot helps honor tribes that 'disappeared'

Tuesday, March 8, 2011  

"A few days ago an editorial appeared in your paper re: Berlin should confront mascot question. The Final Thought stated that we should "charter a new mascot that fits the city's proud history."

Our mascot already represents our proud history. We have for more years than there has been an "Oshkosh Northwestern" honored our Native American ancestors by naming our sports teams 'the Indians.' I believe "Indians" was chosen because we actually have record of seven nations that once lived on this land and the name honors all of them.

The Indian village of the Mascouten has been erased from the face of the map. The Mascoutin Nation has disappeared from the world. Not a soul remains - not a tradition is left to indicate where the last survivor of them sleeps. According to author E.L. Runals "To them it matters little if they are approved or condemned, but to those who now live and are to live in the future, is it of some importance that what is regarded as history of our own immediate country should be something else than a panegyric on infamy?" We in Berlin choose to remember.

The High School annual is called 'The Mascoutin,' the bus service that takes our children to school is called Mascoutin Transportation and we have a premium golf course called Mascoutin Golf and Country Club. I believe every student that attended Berlin High School has been proud of their Indian connection and are more respectful of the Indian culture because of it."

Get the Story:
Bobbi Erdman: Berlin honors Indian tribe (The Oshkosh Northwestern 3/8)