The use of Native symbols and names has come to attention as pressure has come to change such names and symbols of national sports teams for example. Tomorrow’s discussion will be about the use of Mohawk in Mason City, Iowa.
The Mason City Community School District reached out to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and asked if the tribe would be open to a partnership and allow the use of imagery and name. The tribe said no and asked for the end of the usage of the “Mohawk” mascot and nickname. (Info from the Globe Gazette).
Last month, the Mason City School Board decided to end the use of the name “Mohawks,” at athletic events and on merchandise. Over the long term building signs and school décor will also be scrubbed of the name, as the district assesses costs related to rebranding.
Shortly after the decision was made, Mason City resident Tom Stalker created the “Mason City Mohawk Save the Name” Facebook page. The group has shared their frustrations about the decision and was given time to speak at Monday night’s meeting.
Mason City school board will revisit Mohawk nickname at Dec. 20 meeting by Abby Koch Dec 6, 2021 Updated Dec 7, 2021
There is an excellent opportunity to learn more about this tomorrow, 12/12/2021 at 5:00 pm Central time, when my friends of the Great Plains Action Society (GPAS) host a discussion of why these mascots are harmful and perpetuate white supremacy.
12/12/2021 at 5:00 pm Central
Watch on YouTube at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mJic8TyeCs
Watch on GPAS’s FB Page at
https://www.facebook.com/GreatPlainsActionSociety/posts/3027458207541906
Join us for an Indigenous-led forum discussing why mascots in Iowa are harmful and perpetuate white supremacy. Though Iowa has 27 racist “Indian” mascots still being used, we will spotlight the issue in Mason City where white supremacists have organized to protest the rightful retirement of the Mohawk mascot. We will be joined by:
- – John Kane, Kahnawake Mohawk, Let’s Talk Native With John Kane Radio Show
- – Rev. Le Anne Clausen de Montes, Mason City resident and the Cofounder of the Iowa Change the Name Coalition
- – Salvi Montes-Clausen, Latino/Nahuatl and Youth Cofounder of the Iowa Change the Name Coalition
- – Edouardo Zendejas, Omaha Tribe of NE and author of Mascots That Honor Indians
- – Keely Driscoll, Meskwaki Nation and Youth Organizer with Great Plains Action Society
- – Trisha Etringer, Winnebago Tribe of NE and Operations Director with Great Plains Action Society
- – Jessica Engelking, Anishinaabe and Education Director with Great Plains Action Society
- – Alexandrea Walker, Winnebago Tribe of NE and Youth Organizer with Great Plains Action Society
- -Sikowis Nobiss, George Gordon First Nation and Executive Director of Great Plains Action Society
Following are graphics from the Great Plains Action Society
“The Des Moines Register identified 27 high schools with Indigenous-themed mascots from a list provided by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. That count does not include the Meskwaki Settlement School Warriors. The Sac and Fox Tribe’s list included elementary and middle schools as well”
#greatplainsactionsociety #NotYourMascot
LANDBACK Friends 
Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News.
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