The New York Board of Regents has voted unanimously to ban the use of Native American mascots, team names and logos in public schools throughout the state.
The state currently has 55 school districts with mascots and team names that use Native American themes and imagery. The school districts have until the end of the 2024-25 school year to comply with the order to make the change or they run the risk of losing state aid and jobs.
The costs of removing the old mascots and logos and creating replacements will be borne by the school districts without financial assistance from the state.
John Kane, a Seneca-based Mohawk activist for Native American rights, said the board”™s decision ended a longtime double standard.
“You can’t do it with Jewish people,” Kane said in a Fox 5 NY interview. “You can’t do it with Black people. You can’t do it with the Hispanic people. But you can still do it to us. We’re the only people used this way.”
Photo: Daniel Ehrenpreis / Change.org
