Saugus Advertiser
Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Let's keep our Sachems

You ask, "Is Saugus' mascot offensive?"

As a person of mixed background, white and Native American, and a native of Saugus, I feel I need to weigh in on this subject. Saugus is an Indian name. The town started out as Saugus, changed temporarily to Lynn, until the Saugus end of the town took the name back.

We are proud of our town's heritage, all of it. The yearbook has been called the Tontiquoian since it was first started. I like the Chief's head (logo) although I will admit I do not like the screaming Indian (seen recently on a sweatshirt). I don't know when he came into play.

I think we should keep the Indian influence. Do you know that we are considered the invisible race. Why, you say? Because we can pass, depending on how light or dark, for Italian, Greek, French, Asian, and even black if dark enough. And of course there are all those South and Central American and Mexican Indians who say they are Spanish; it's the only way they manage to stay alive. Why do you think a lot of them are coming over the border? One reason is because down there they are considered nothing, just because they are Indians.

We cannot and should not erase our Indian background or we will disappear into the other cultures and no one will know we are here.

As far as The Redmen go, I really donÕt have any problem with that either, considering my grandfather Charles W. Parker was not only a member of the group but was head Sachem.

It didn't bother him. It's not going to bother me. I think we should focus more on learning more about the cultures of the various tribes. You might also find out Indians are people too. Indians do exist today. They only hoop and holler at powwow, which by the way, are a lot of fun as well as educational. Most do not live on reservations and the ones that do are among the poor people in this country. Yes, that is right, poor. Only a few have casinos.

So lets keep our Sachems — Sachems. Thank you for letting me vent.

Judith A. Loubris McCarthy
Main Street
Saugus