Tonight, officials with the Marcola School District and Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde will hold a community meeting. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, the topic will be the district’s Native American-themed name and mascot.
For roughly 80 years, the Indians have been associated with the Mohawk Valley schools. Last year, the state board of education ruled schools with Native American mascots must drop them or work with tribes on a redesign.
Bill Watkins is superintendent for the Marcola School District. He says they’re working on a formal agreement with the Confederated Tribes. He hopes a new but still relevant image can be used for the district…perhaps…
“...the eagle, or the wolf or cougars, and a lot of different animals that have a certain meaning to the North American tribes.”
Watkins says the Marcola District cannot use logos depicting Native Americans or weapons. He says several students have already proposed new designs that could satisfy both the tribe and Marcola community.
The Tribal Council Chief of Staff for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde could not be reached for comment.
