Burmaster Repeats Request for School Districts to Drop Indian Names, Mascots

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster has sent a memo to all school administrators asking them again to eliminate the use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, logos, nicknames and personalities for their athletic teams.

"As you know, I believe that stereotypical American Indian logos do not support sound educational practice because they interfere with a school’s efforts to provide accurate information related to the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of American Indian nations," Burmaster wrote. "In addition to ensuring sound educational practices, we need to ensure that all of our children feel welcome in our schools."

Burmaster forwarded to administrators a copy of a resolution recently adopted by the American Psychological Association. The resolution cites the potential negative impact of such nicknames and images on "the mental health of all students, particularly American Indian students."

The resolution states, “The continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities establishes an unwelcome and oftentimes hostile learning environment that affirms negative images and stereotypes that are promoted in mainstream society.”

Burmaster echoed that sentiment, writing, "Stereotypical logos can hurt our children, albeit unintentionally."

She said 11 tribal governments in Wisconsin, the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, the Wisconsin Indian Education Association, other Indian nations and organizations across the country, WEAC, various national nonprofit and faith-based organizations, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association have all called for the elimination of these logos, mascots, and nicknames.

She said the Department of Public Instruction has supported legislation to address this issue including Senate Bill 172 and Assembly Bill 395 in the current session.

"These bills would amend the existing pupil nondiscrimination statute to allow those objecting to a school district's use of an ethnic name, nickname, logo, or mascot to file a complaint with the state superintendent," she wrote. "At the ensuing hearing, the school district must prove by clear and convincing evidence that its use of the ethnic name, nickname, logo, or mascot does not promote discrimination, harassment, or stereotyping. These measures would not yield a broad ban on the use of American Indian names, nicknames, logos, or mascots; rather they would provide a more effective means for affected parties to express their concerns."

Over the past 16 years, Burmaster wrote, 25 school districts have replaced their ethnic logos.

"I encourage those districts that continue to use American Indian logos and/or mascots to engage their communities in finding positive alternatives," she wrote.

Posted January 3, 2006