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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 15, 2016)
MARCH 15, 2016 S moke S ignals 5 General Council debates mascot use She said the Tribe is encour- aging schools to use images Smoke Signals editor of objects instead of human The Tribe’s official stand caricatures. on Native American mas- Tribal Curriculum Adviser cots being used by Oregon Mercedes Reeves discussed public schools was debated the Tribally created fourth- at length during the Sunday, grade history curriculum March 6, General Council that is being used in about meeting held in the Commu- a dozen Oregon school dis- nity Center in Grand Ronde. tricts, as well as the eighth- On one hand, Tribal mem- grade curriculum currently ber Monty Herron made a being tested in the Willam- 20-minute presentation out- ina School District. lining why he and other Trib- General Manager David al members feel that Native Fullerton talked about how American mascots promote the Grand Ronde Tribe has discrimination against In- created a coordinated effort dian students and that the to take advantage of the Grand Ronde Tribe should educational opportunities have supported the Oregon Photos by Dean Rhodes created by the mascot ban Board of Education’s out- Tribal member Monty Herron, left, and Tribal lobbyist Justin Martin, right, were two of the compromise. He added that right ban on their use. presenters during the Sunday, March 6, General Council meeting that discussed the Tribe’s if any disagreements arise “While communities think stand on Native American mascots. Herron supported the Oregon Board of Education’s between the Tribe and a they are honoring us, there school district regarding its is a growing body of social outright ban on Native American mascot use by the state’s public schools while Martin mascot use, the Tribe can science literature and em- outlined the Tribe’s consternation about not being consulted on the issue from the outset walk away, which would pirical research that states by the Board of Education. Most of the meeting, held in the Community Center, focused on default a school district back there are harmful effects, the controversial issue. under the Board of Educa- such as racial stereotyping ed, passed a rule that mandated all tion’s blanket ban. plained the political aspects of the and inaccurate racial portrayals, Oregon high schools with Native “As you can see, we put a lot of decision, keying in on the fact that and these are particularly harmful American mascots cease using work into this,” Leno said. “Un- Board of Education members are to the social identity, health and them by 2017. fortunately, we understand the appointed and not elected. self-esteem of Native American State legislators and Oregon mascot issue. We don’t say we don’t “The reality is that your coun- students. … Tribes, including the Confederated understand it. But we were stuck cil felt like this decision from the “Our culture is not up for grabs. Tribes of Grand Ronde, became in- between a rock and a hard spot: Do Board of Education, along with Our ethnicity, our traditions, who volved and a compromise eventual- we fight the mascot issue or try to several other folks in other Tribes, we are is not swag for non-Indian ly came out of the state Legislature educate people on who we are.” really thought the state was over- students, parents or communities and was signed by the governor. Even with all the explanations stepping its bounds in laying out to make money off of. … I am not a The compromise provided for ex- offered on both sides, the “Other a blanket ban on mascots and im- mascot, a stereotype or a nickname. ceptions to the Board of Education’s Business” portion of the meeting agery,” Martin said. “The state of We are all human beings.” outright ban if Oregon high schools indicated that few opinions were Oregon was saying it knows what On the other hand, Tribal Coun- with Native mascots worked with changed. is best for Oregon Tribes. We didn’t cil and Tribal staff explained the their local Tribe to ensure that the Tribal Elder and former Tribal believe that then and we don’t be- Tribe’s stand on Native American mascots are culturally appropriate Council member Val Grout said lieve in it now.” mascots. and that curriculum regarding Ore- that she is proud to see Native Martin said Tribes were offended “This is a Native American issue, gon Tribes was being taught in the American mascots if they are not by the lack of consultation regarding not a Board of Education issue,” district’s respective schools. derogatory while Herron and others the ban. “Not a single bit of consul- said Tribal Council Chairman Reyn However, an editorial by Leno said that the Tribe did not need the tation occurred,” he said. “We were Leno. “We should have it in our that discussed the Grand Ronde hammer of the mascot issue to get offended by that. … We do not feel hands to declare what is right and Tribe’s stance on Native American its history curriculum taught in it is appropriate for the state of Or- what is wrong. … Why should we be mascots that appeared in The Ore- Oregon public schools. egon to be making decisions on our told by the Board of Education what gonian in early February prompted Herron suggested that Tribal behalf when we know best what is is culturally correct? We got told in a backlash from Tribal members Council consult the general mem- the right thing to do for our people.” 1954, they called it Termination, who attended the Feb. 7 General bership on important public policy Martin said Oregon Tribes have ‘Here’s what’s best for you.’ When Council meeting in Clackamas. issues, such as the Native mascot worked to get rid of offensive they just go across the board and Despite coverage of the issue in ban, and that it use its sovereignty names, such as savages and squaw, say no more Native mascots in the Smoke Signals over the past three to renegotiate its gaming compact and will work diligently to ensure state of Oregon, isn’t that a form of years, some Tribal members said with the state. remaining Native mascots are Termination?” they were caught off-guard by the In other action, it was announced appropriate. “Have a little faith in In the end, the discussion boiled Tribe’s stance that not all Native that the next General Council Oregon Tribes to make the right down to a matter of perspective: An- mascots are derogatory and that meeting will be held at 11 a.m. decision,” he said. ti-mascot Tribal members viewed education about Oregon’s nine Sunday, April 3, at the Valley River Tribal Attorney Rob Greene re- it as a cultural issue while Tribal Tribes in the public school system Inn in Eugene. viewed draft agreements the Tribe Council saw it as a sovereignty and would go a long way toward ending Raymond Petite, Mike Wiggs and is currently working on with school lack of government-to-government racism. Nancy Renfrow won the $100 door districts regarding their continued consultation issue. In reaction, Tribal Council de- prizes and Debi Anderson, Steve use of Native American mascots. Banning Native American mascot cided to devote the March General Bobb Sr., Jenny Vanatta, Cindy He said that one of the main goals use by Oregon public schools has Council meeting to explaining the Gulledge and Sally Petite won the is to foster positive relationships been a hot button issue before the Tribe’s decision. $50 door prizes. A gas card donated between the school district and Oregon Board of Education since Tribal lobbyist Justin Martin ex- by Tribal Council member Brenda Tribe and to encourage Native 2012. The board, which is appoint- Tuomi and her husband and neck- curriculum and Native Clubs in laces also were raffled off. the schools, as well as establishing WALK-IN DENTAL APPOI NTMENTS FOR KIDS <6 Tribal Council member Jon A. sportsmanship responsibilities that George joined Culture Department will not allow inappropriate racial NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY FOR DENTAL CHECK-UPS FOR KIDS 5 AND employees Bobby Mercier and Bri- actions at games and other sporting UNDER WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE SEEN AT THE TRIBAL CLINIC. an Krehbiel, as well as Harrelson, events. JUST COME ON IN! Public Affairs Administrative As- Tribal Historic Preservation We will check your child’s teeth during any of our clinic hours without an ap- sistant Chelsea Clark and Tribal Department Manager David Har- pointment. Dental check-ups are recommended beginning with the first youth Kailiyah Krehbiel in per- relson discussed how the Tribe tooth! forming the cultural drumming and will determine a particular school’s singing to open the meeting. historic connections to a Tribe. Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Dental Clinic The meeting, in its entirety, can Tribal Council Chief of Staff Sta- Phone 503-879-2020 be viewed on the Tribal website at cia Martin talked about how the Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 8:00—5:00; Thur 9:30-5:30 www.grandronde.org by clicking Tribe’s Culture Department will on the News tab and then Video. n decide what imagery is appropriate. By Dean Rhodes
