Oregon district suspends fight against mascot ban
ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) — The Roseburg School Board has suspended its legal challenge to the state ban on Native American mascots after learning that it was unlikely to win.
The Oregon Board of Education approved the ban last May after months of passionate and emotional debate about tolerance and tradition. It requires Oregon teams such as the Roseburg Indians to come up with a new mascot by July 2017, at the risk of losing state funding.
Roseburg School Board Chairman Steve Patterson said board members were recently informed the district would likely lose a court battle, and that the state Board of Education does have the authority to withhold money if schools don't switch their nicknames, mascots and logos.
The district has not ruled out re-starting its legal challenge, but will wait to see if the Legislature takes action takes any action on the matter.
"It's much too early to say we're going to abandon our disagreement with the state on the ban," Patterson told the News-Review. "We're going to wait and see what the Legislature does."
State Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, drafted a bill that says the Board of Education doesn't have jurisdiction over state mascots while Rep. Sherrie Springer, R-Scio, drafted a bill waiving the ban for districts that have gained mascot approval from nearby tribes.
Since the 1970s, more than 600 high school and college teams across the country have done away with their Native American nicknames, including 20 in Oregon.
Opponents say Indian mascots are racist, reinforce stereotypes and promote bullying of Native students. Supporters say the mascots are a way to honor Native American history, evoking values of strength and bravery.
The ban requires eight Oregon high schools to retire their Native American mascots. Another seven high schools identified as the Warriors will be allowed to keep their nickname but must change mascots or graphics that depict Native Americans.
The five-year transition period is intended to help districts pay for changes and give them time to pick a popular new nickname.
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Information from: The News-Review
Eight Oregon high schools will have to retire their Native American mascots after the Board of Education voted Thursday to prohibit them, giving the state some of the nation's toughest restrictions on Native American mascots, nicknames and logos.
The 5-1 vote in mid-2012 states that the schools have five years to comply with the order or risk losing their state funding. Another seven high schools identified as the Warriors will be allowed to keep their nickname but will have to change mascots or graphics that depict Native Americans. An unknown number of elementary and middle schools also will be affected.
The ban doesn't apply to colleges, but none in Oregon have Native American mascots after Southern Oregon University and Chemeketa Community College dropped them.
List of Oregon schools affected by the decision
Amity High School: Warriors
Banks High School: Braves
Lebanon High School: Warriors
Mohawk High School: Indians
Molalla High School: Indians
North Douglas High School: Warriors
Oakridge High School: Warriors
Philomath High School: Warriors
Reedsport High School: Braves
Rogue River High School: Chieftains
Roseburg High School: Indians
Scappoose High School: Indians
Siletz Valley School: Warriors
The Dalles‐Wahtonka High School: Eagle Indians
I just found out a few years ago that I am part Indian on my fathers side of the family....I couldnt be more proud of that! I attended Roseburg Sr High and it saddens me that they cannot use the word "Indians" in their school banners anymore. We were proud of every banner that was put up depicting handsome and brave warriors before a football or basketball game...it was good to be reminded of the local history and heritage of native people. NOONE in the school made fun of Indians in any way shape or form (at least not the people I ran with). This is very sad, but I will
ALWAYS be a Roseburg Indian in my heart. By the way I am part Cherokee.
North American Indigenous Peoples has a nice ring to it.
I'm Cow Creek and I'll tell every one of you, not one person in my tribe thinks this is right. I have not heard one person in my tribe that agrees with or thinks that this a good thing. I don't have any kids of my own. But I do feel a since of pride and honor that they call themselves the "Roseburg Indians". This isn't offencive to me in any way shape or form. In fact I would be more then happy to testify to that point in court for the school. I hope that they fight this madness like a true warrior. I Know my people will help......we always do.
Wonder if the 7 Feathers Casino will change their name too.Â
 The KVAL comment section Sycophants would be a good mascot for one of these High School's.
It has been fascinating to watch this unfold. Schools with mascots like the Roseburg Indians being forced to change from their images of strength, integrity and tradition while schools with dark and/or downright criminal mascots get a pass, like the Marshfield Pirates or the Coquille Red Devils.
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Liberals are a very weird lot with weird priorities.
@OregonOrator Im a liberal and I for one agree with you!!!
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@OregonOrator Great comment; nailed it! Where will these (O.B.E.) mascot haters/killers stop? Are animal rights or other peoples like the "Highlanders" or "The Fighting Irish" next to be outlawed? Like you said "facinating to watch this", I'll add "circus".
@BakerOregon How many towns and landmarks are named for tribes?  I can rattle off probably ten on the coast without trying real hard. Are we on the verge of forcing these towns to change their names too? You may laugh, but who would have ever dreamed it would come to this with the schools?Â
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 Mohawk High School, named for a strong, proud American indian tribe can't call themselves the Indians? Political Correctness run amuck.
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Its time to quit playing the victim card.
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Always reminding us how someone somewhere did you wrong..
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When the fact is, nobody did you wrong at all. Â
Stop claiming someone elses injustice as your own.Â
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Get your own if you want it, then, get over it already.Â
Glad we wasted more time on this stupidity.
"Grampa, did you play football in High School"? Â "Yes Timmy, I played quarterback on the" Limp Legged Liberals"Â , We beat the "Politically Corrects" and won the State Championship.
@Phil Guffaw!