"The Daily News editorialized in Wednesday’s paper that we do not see the need for Bay City Western High School or any state school to change mascot names that include American Indian imagery, as proposed by the Michigan Civil Rights Department.

That stance was backed by Frank Cloutier, a leader of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, who in an interview with the Daily News made some comments and suggestions that we believe are worthy of conversation.

Cloutier questions why the state’s civil rights department is focusing on school and Indian mascots when there is a much bigger picture that, through education, can be brought to light. Specifically, the health issues of alcoholism and diabetes prevalent among American Indians, which are examples of the ill-effects that resulted from Europeans coming to the United States and colonizing the country at the expense of Native Americans, Cloutier said."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Increased opportunity bright spot of mascot debacle (The Midland Daily News 2/21)

Also Today:
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe supports Bay City Western Warriors name (The Midland Daily News 2/20)