NEW YORK STATE DEPT. OF ED. ORDERS HALT TO USING NATIVE AMERICAN MASCOTS, NICKNAMES, LOGOS (2022-11-18)
The Sports ReportsALBANY— The New York State Department of
Education has issued an edict to all schools to stop using Native
American mascots, nicknames, and logos by the end of the 2022-23 school
year, or risk losing state aid.
As many as 60 school districts
statewide, including Owego and Groton in Section IV, still use nicknames
or mascots that reference indigenous people.
There are also many
schools across the state, including Chenango Valley in Section IV, that
use “Warriors,” which is also commonly associated with a negative
stereotype of Native Americans.
Odessa-Montour was out in front
of the issue, changing its nickname and mascot from Indians to Grizzlies
prior to the current school year.
The State Education Department issued the directive Thursday in honor of Native American Heritage month, which is November
The order was e-mailed to all districts and signed by senior Deputy Education Commissioner James Baldwin.
“Those
school districts that continue to utilize Native American team names,
logos, and/or imagery without current approval from a recognized tribe
must immediately come into compliance,” Baldwin wrote.
“Should
a district fail to affirmatively commit to replacing its Native
American team name, logo, and/or imagery by the end of the 2022-23
school year, it may be in willful violation of the Dignity Act. The
penalties for such a violation include the removal of school officers
and the withholding of State Aid.”
