The mascot at Mohawk High School in Marcola, Oregon, resembles a Mohawk person from the Northeast. Photo from Mohawk High School Community / Facebook
The Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde have reportedly given approval to the "Indians" mascot at Mohawk High School in Oregon. In 2012, the Oregon Board of Education banned the use of Native American names, symbols or images as mascots. But the policy was modified by Senate Bill 1509, which allows schools to keep their mascots with tribal permission. The principal at Mohawk High School said Grand Ronde supports the "Indians" mascot. The superintendent of Marcola School District, where the school is located, said he will be seeking written approval from the tribe.
An undated photo of a Mohawk High School student in a headdress. Photo from Mohawk High School Community / Facebook
"The community here is very, very proud of their mascot," superintendent Bill Watkins told KLCC. "They have a beautiful Indian on the gym floor." The image on the gym floor represents a very stylized yet generic Indian man while other symbols at the school closely resemble a Mohawk person from the Northeast. In the past, students have worn headdresses, which are typically associated with Plains tribes. Another undated photo on Facebook shows a student in faux buckskin clothing. The mascot otherwise does not appear to have any connections to Pacific Northwest tribal culture. Get the Story:
Mohawk High School Indian Mascot May Stay (KLCC 1/26)
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Oregon governor expected to sign bill to allow Indian mascots (02/27)
Oregon lawmakers weigh another bill to allow Indian mascots (2/25)
Editorial: Missed opportunity with veto of Oregon mascot bill (8/19)
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