Members of the Colorado Governor's Commission to Study American Indian Representation in Public Schools. Photo from John W. Hickenlooper / Facebook

The Commission to Study American Indian Representation in Public Schools released a report on Monday calling on public schools in Colorado to eliminate their "Indian" mascots.

The 15-member commission, which included tribal representatives, was created by Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) last October. After holding five months of community meetings and discussion, they developed four guiding principles to help schools better understand and respect Indian people and their cultures.

“Through participation in this commission, our tribe was able to see the lack of education and awareness around American Indian history and culture in Colorado’s public schools,” Chairman Clement Frost, the chairman of the Southern Ute Tribe, said in a press release. “We believe it is incumbent upon our tribe, the state of Colorado, and Colorado public schools to recognize the role of American Indians in Colorado’s history and to ensure that this history is taught comprehensively and accurately.”

“The use of American Indian mascots creates an opportunity for schools and tribes to engage in meaningful relationships with one another,” said Manuel Heart, the chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. “Schools like Strasburg High School are positive examples of a way in which the use of a mascot can be the catalyst for fostering a respectful, educational, and unique partnership that also acknowledges the sovereignty of American Indian nations.”

Once a Savage, Always a Savage, a pro-mascot sign in Lamar, Colorado. Photo from Colorado Governor's Commission to Study American Indian Representation in Public Schools

About 30 schools use "Indian" mascots and imagery, according to the report. Some, like the Lamar Savages, are known for particularly egregious symbols that enjoy strong local support.

"A Lamar High School alumnus and former faculty announced to the commission that they are 'in Indian Country now' and that it was 'Savage Country,'" the report stated in a summary of a community meeting in Lamar. "She attended and taught in the Lamar education system."

The report does not require any schools to take action on their mascots. A bill that would have created a process for change was killed by Republican lawmakers last April.

But some communities are reaching out to Indian Country. The Arapahoe High School developed its "Warriors" logo in consultation with the Northern Arapaho Tribe in Wyoming. The Strasburg High School has done the same with its "Indians" mascot, Colorado Public Radio reported.

The Southern Ute Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Ute Tribe have reservations and trust lands in Colorado. The state was once home to a larger number of tribes but most were forced out due to massacres, broken treaties and other acts.

The Sand Creek Massacre in 1864 resulted in the near-decimation of the Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples in Colorado. Other tribes, like the Kiowa and Comanche, were promised reservations in the region but ended up being removed to Oklahoma.

Get the Story:
Report: Colorado public schools should end American Indian mascots (The Denver Post 4/19)
Native American mascot commission a model for nation (The Durango Herald 4/19)
Have respect for tribes, urges panel on mascots (The Grand Junction Sentinel 4/18)
Colorado panel urges schools to drop Native American mascots (AP 4/18)
Colorado Schools, Indian Tribe Come Together Over Controversial Mascots (Colorado Public Radio 4/18)

Related Stories:
Republican lawmakers kill Indian mascot measure in Colorado (4/30)
Colorado House approves bill to restrict use of Indian mascots (04/16)
Vote delayed on bill to restrict use of Indian mascots in Colorado (4/14)
Ellie Reynolds: Native people used as pawns in mascot debates (03/31)
Bill in Colorado restricts use of Indian mascots in public schools (3/24)
Amanda Blackhorse: Dehumanization of our people continues (3/23)