Green Mountain Union High School
Board Minutes Open Session Hearing
October 19, 2006 6:00 p.m.
(Exerpt only)
Board Present: Gert Bennett – Chair
Jack Coleman – Vice Chair
Alonzo Neff, Bill Bourque, Joseph Dexter
Letter Recommending Change in GMUHS Mascot
Gert said she would like this issue to go to the Athletic Committee to review. Brad Houk, author of the letter thanked the Board for reading the letter. His point in the letter is that he is not defending the Mascot. He brought a small bank that he bought in Chester to make a point of attitudes in this area. He said the NCAA said the use of American Indians as mascots is harmful and hostile. He feels that this is institutionalized racism as there are images of Chieftains everywhere. Bumper stickers state that Chieftains have no reservations. Brad read a letter from a friend of his who is Navajo Indian. The letter was addressed to WSWSU/Ed Brown – Superintendent and the Green Mountain Board. He talked of the perceptions of the mascot at the college he attended and how it was changed from the Raiders to the Sky Hawks. The use of an Indian with full headdress is stereotyping all American Indians. Ed suggested that setting up a meeting with the Athletic Committee and a gentleman from the Vermont Superintendent’s Association who has dealt with type of issue before. The community will also have input. Jack said he feels that a student who is involved in sports should be in this meeting. Gert said that her comments in the paper were not meant to belittle Brad’s letter.