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