Mixed reaction to decision to remove Native American mascots

LEBANON, Ore. - Everywhere you look around Lebanon High School, you see it.

On the walls, the basketball court, even the side of the building.

"I've been here 31 years and so it's been something that's been a part of me for a really long time," said high school athletic director Rob Allen.

But soon their familiar Native American warrior mascot will be taken away.

"We started preparing for this quite a while ago.," he said.

On Thursday, the state Board of Education voted to prohibit Native American mascots in schools in Oregon.
    
That means Lebanon is among eight high schools that will have to remove all logo's depicting Native American themes.

"We've come to the conclusion that we can't afford to do that, but it is something that we're gonna have to do," said Allen.

He estimated it will cost the school around $200,000 to replace everything from signage to jerseys, even school letterhead.

"We have an art form of a warrior on a horse, that was $25,000 and so we have to take that off and melt it down and give it to somebody. You know what do we do with that?"

Teachers including Kevin Johnson, a member of the Choctaw Nation, said he's upset that the mascot has to go.

"As a tribal person, what an honor, what an honor to teach kids about what the symbolism is and you know that will be taken away," he said.

He's worried that without Native American mascots, there won't be any lessons learned by students about the heritage.

"I still stand firm in what I believe. It is no board's right, any board, to decide what's best for me as a native person."

Not everyone agreed.

Gordon Bettle, a Klamath tribal member and head of the Long House at the University of Oregon, said a weight has been lifted.

"I was glad because I think it's something that we've had to deal with over the decades that constantly puts us in the wrong light."

Still no matter what side you're on, Lebanon and other school district's are worried about the money.

"Our school district is gonna have to find a way to come up with the money," said Allen. "It is disappointing."

Oregon schools will now have until 2017 to change their mascots.