Position Statement by Barbara E. Munson, Chair, Wisconsin Indian Education Association AIndian@ Mascot and Logo Taskforce Regarding the Use of Aindian Logos in Public School Districts. It is imperative that schools teach respect for America=s indigenous cultures by removing stereotypes in the form of AIndian@ mascots, logos, and nicknames. If we are to have any meaningful dialogue about eliminating racism in our society, we must first stop teaching this form of overt racism in our Nation=s education facilities. Any high school with an AIndian@ logo is teaching a course in hands-on racism. It is teaching students how to stereotype a group of people on the basis of race, religion, ancestry and cultural ethnicity. It is teaching students to maintain these stereotypes and to promote them by carrying them into other school districts at interscholastic sports competitions. The WIEA Taskforce wants all children to receive a high quality education that prepares them for the challenges of adulthood. We want all children to learn accurate and authentic historical and contemporary information about their own cultures and those of other people. We want all children to fully participate in the educational process in our schools, and we oppose all barriers to learning that create an intimidating or offensive school environment for any child. Stereotypical images of American Indians interfere with learning by creating, supporting and maintaining oversimplified, and inaccurate views of indigenous peoples and their cultures. Along with other societal abuses and stereotypes, Indian mascots and logos separate, marginalize, confuse, intimidate and harm American Indian children, thereby creating a barrier to learning and making the school an inhospitable place. Schools must be places where children are allowed equal opportunity to participate in learning. The use of AIndian@ logo caricatures denies full and welcome participation to American Indian children, while at the same time teaching all school children to tolerate discrimination against Indian people, their heritage and cultures. Regardless of original intent, relative attractiveness, or degree of cherished attachment, an AIndian@ logo and the school traditions that grow up around it present harmful stereotypes of living people and living cultures to students in the school environment. AIndian@ logos do not honor Indian people; these logos are nothing more than outmoded, culturally demeaning symbols of oppression. Icons of discrimination, including AIndian@ logos are slowly and surely following Sambo=s restaurants and blackface minstrel shows into the realm of cultural oblivion. At question is not whether AIndian@ mascots and logos will be removed from school settings across the nation, but when and how. Rising awareness that these archaic symbols are teaching children how to do racism is resulting in the removal of AIndian@ logos in elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities throughout the nation. In October of last year, the Los Angeles School District, the second largest in the nation, banned the use of Indian mascots and logos. In May of this year, the Dallas Public Schools followed LA=s lead. In recent years the State of Minnesota has decreased Indian logos in its public schools by over 80%. In national forums such as the Conference for the Elimination of Racist Mascots, the National Congress of American Indians Semi-Annual Meeting, and the National Indian Education Association Conference, Indian people and their allies are asking that schools eliminate AIndian@ mascots and logos by the year 2000 so that Indian people can enter the next millennium without this form of racism doing damage to our children and our cultures. Finally, one particular image, the characterization of a Plains Indian religious leader is insulting because it is being associated, not with a religious place or ceremony, but with a sporting event - as part of a game. Not only does it misrepresent and trivialize American Indian religions, but depicting an equivalent religious leader from another culture: an Archbishop, Minister, Rabbi, the Dali Llama, or the Pope would be unthinkable. Such an icon would not be tolerated both because it insults our religious sensibility, that sense of reverence that informs our behavior when in the presence of the sacred, and because it promotes a particular religion in a public school setting. For the benefit of all our children, we hope you will join the effort to eliminate racism in the form of AIndian@ mascots and logos from the public schools. It is not conscionable that public schools be the vehicle of institutional racism.  Teach Respect - Not Racicm Another excellent article by Barbara Munson that may answer some of your questions: http://www.iwchildren.org/barb.htm

Julie's thoughts and questions... Indigenous people continue their struggle for land and sovereignty -- both self-determination and self-representation.  Due to corporations, the media, and the government, there are ongoing threats to land bases, resources, and the integrity of culture and tradition. However, despite ongoing denigration and misappropriation, indigenous people survive, even thrive, and continue the fight for sovereignty. Does this have anything to do with you and me? Do we share any responsibility? Are we living in a colonial or post-colonial country? What can we do in our actual daily lives?     Some Answers from Art Institute Students Eileen Tseng:      Does this have anything to do with you and me? Yes, the whole fact of racism was brought on by arrogance and ignorance. Again, coming from a different racial background, it is always an irate situation when racism is involved. First, if the schools are teaching and bringing racism to schools focusing on Native Americans, how would that make the Chinese, Blacks, and Hispanics feel any safer? If not safe, then responsible?? Do we share any responsibility? Everyone has a part in racism and discrimination. For years our generation and the generations above us have been taught to think it’s alright to either be racist or bias. Basically the two components that started the whole issue are being used on a day-by-day basis. It’s up to the individual to check themselves on their actions and words they use in society. Are we living in a colonial or post-colonial country? I would say a little of both. What was started was a colonial affair, than the postcolonial economics took over and stayed put. So far, as from a minority’s point of view, the majority would agree that we are living in a post-colonial country. What can we do in our actual daily lives? Protect ourselves and our commons as much as possible. It’s a dog-eat-dog world, things happen for a reason and now to face and to deal with what’s left behind is going to be a harsh ride. What we can do is to teach ourselves and others about racism, what to look out for and what not to accept. Alfonso B:         I THINK SO, BECAUSE RACISM WILL ALLWAYS HAPPEN TO ALL TYPES OF CULTURE NOT MATTER WHO YOU ARE WHITE, BLACK, HISPANIC, ASIAN THE SCHOOL ARE TEACHING THEESE YOUNG KIDS ON STEREOTYPES BY NOT TAKING THEES LOGOS COMPLETLEY OUT, AND GENENRATION AFTER ANOTHER IT WILL NEVER END. EVERYONE HAS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST ANOTHER RACE, THERE NO ONE THAT CAN ADMIT THAT THEY HAVENT, SO WE DO SHARE RESPONSIBLILITY, BECAUSE THERE THINGS THAT YOU DO IN YOUR DAILY LIFE THAT YOU SAY OR DO THAT DISCRIMINATED AGAIST OTHER RACES, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO TEACH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND OTHER CULTURE THAT IS NOT HEALTHY TO DISCRIMINATED AGAINST OTHER. "Are we living in a colonial or post-colonial country?" I THINK A LITTLE OF BOTH, BECAUSE RACISM WILL NEVER END, BUT NOT ENOUGH HELP TO PREVENT IT. "What can we do in our actual daily lives?" THE ONE THING WE CAN YOU IS NOT JUDGE PEOPLE FOR WHO THERE ARE OR THEIR RACE, EVERYONE IS HUMAN, EVERYONE HAS FEELING, AND YOU SHOULD TREAT THEM HOW YOU WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED. Avery Wong:      Although I am not of an Indian decent,it is good practice to realize what is going on in our society, ignorance in such matters affect every level of life. Although this issue does not directly involve me, it indirectly affects me because I realize that racism is still around, and as long as it remains a factor, we will never have true equality. Because of that, oppression will remain, even if it is at a subconcious level. We should hold a large responsibility in this matter, because in order to remove racism, we need to start with ourselves. We need to open our eyes to actions we take and the feedback we recieve, and relinquish the cushion of ignorance we keep around us, embrace diversity. I do believe that if our schools promoted diversity, then we can reduce this problem. I had the enjoyment of growing up in schools that promoted diversity, and I live with an open mind about other cultures. I do believe we are in a post-colonial country, if mean't by it's literal term, because we have severed our ties with our parent country. But in the term that would apply to the context of this subject, I believe we are in a colonial state, we still tend to collaborate within our own cultures, forming small pockets and communities of the people we are comfortable around. Take Chinatown or Little Tokyo for example, it is a good thing to have our cultural traditions but it is bad if we become ignorant of the other cultures we come into contact with. Live life with an open mind. Be mindful of other cultures because we live in a diverse world. T. Castillo:     We are all a part of this country and everything that is happing here has some effect on all. We all do our small part to add to our cultural whole. This land was Indian land before and it was taken by us. There is nohing we can do about the past wrongs already commited, but it is up to us to make sure that Indian culture is held in high respects. We have to voice our opinions when we see wrongs being commited. I think that it is up to each one of use to use our voice when we see a misuse of Indian culture. It seems to be the only race still openly used in such a demeaning way. I think that if we all voice our opinions together than our voice will be much stronger to those in charge. I think that we are all taught that we are living in a post colonial world. But if you pay much attention to the news, one can see that nobody seems to have told our government that. When America first started out we were under the rule of England. Now it seems as though we have become just like England back then. We are setting up colonies around the world for "American Intrest." This is leading to much bitterness and fear of our country from others in the country. Like I said earlier. We need to voice our opinions when we see things going on that we know is wrong. It may seem like an uphill battle because it is that 10% who hold 90% of the money that make all the desisions. But we have numbers on our side. I think that we really have to learn to work together to get our opinions out there. I think that internet is a very strong tool for that now. We have to learn to take advantage fourums like this so that we can share information and views with eachother, unintrupted by any government or corporation. "Mixalogic":      Alexie's story "Sin Eaters" shows the fact that we are all humans and that means that we are all conected. This should be relevant to all human beings becasue we can understand the concept of being taken advantage of. We can all understand the concpet of being cheated. We can all understand the concept of being mistreated. Therefore Indian land rights issues is very much my problem as it is theirs. The man who knows what is right and does not do anyhting affects those around him more than he can understand. Even if you do not agree with me on the idea of all humans be conected (having come from the same place) you can at least understand that a nation of people have been taken advantage of. I would have to say that I have some responsiblity for Indians having to fight for their land rights because I haven't done anything about. In my view it is not the US government or big corporate companies that are the ultimate 'bad guys' in this story. It the person, like I have been, that does nothing that should really be brought under question. As for whether we living in a colonial or post-colonial country, I would say that we are still living in a colonial country with the mask of post-colonialism. In the way the U.S. government and major league sport teams have dealt with the American Indians I feel that we as a nation still follow the customs and traditions of a colonial community. Under-represented groups have always been dealt with in this manner and I feel that our society is saying 'that is the way things have been and that's the way they are always going to be.' Change is uncomfortable and undesireable but I feel it is crucial if people groups like the American Indians are to be respected and given substanstial rights. In our actual daily lives, we can raise questions about the seemingly small issues in life: logos, mascots, stereotypes. I say seemingly because it these things that will start the winds of change. If a student is surrounded by images, mascots, and slogans that promote racism and stereotypes what other than racism is expected to be produced in that student. I say racism because I feel that is the root of all these issues. For people wanting to take advantage of the Indian people they would have to view them as some what less than human. If not less than human then definetly on a different level of importance and priveldge. We can also take an inventory of our own thoughts, actions, and biased views. Many times we have racist views or feelings when we do not even realize them. Left unchecked these eventually lead to racist acts of hatred. We can question the way our society works. Stop saying, ' it's just how it is supposed to be' and actually question if it is the best way to function in our society

Learn about American Indian Activists: Native Environmentalists: http://www.cnie.org/nae/sacred.html The America Indian Movement: http://www.aimovement.org/ Mary Crow Dog: http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/389/demeo.html Charlotte Black Elk: http://www.creighton.edu/~dollsj/charlott.html Charlene Teeters: http://wiscassetnewspaper.maine.com/1999-11-04/indian_mascot_activists.html Floyd Red Crow Westerman: http://www.ratical.org/radiation/WorldUraniumHearing/FloydWesterman.html and  http://www.delafont.com/music_acts/E/floyd-westerman.htm     Leonard Peltier: http://www.freepeltier.org/story.htm Russel Means: http://www.serran-paganart.com/russel.htm and http://www.russellmeans.com/ Billy Mills: http://www.crazyhorse.org/story/50/mills.htm and http://www.indianyouth.org/billy.html   More: http://www.columbusalive.com/2001/20010503/050301/05030105.html

Also, learn from the books of the historian, analyst, and cultural critic Vine Deloria:       And finally, click here for my class on Contemporary American Indian Literature: