Local high schools defend use of American Indian symbols
By Glen Farley, Enterprise staff writer
Brockton Enterprise
Friday, February 16, 2007
Precautions have been taken at Hanover High School.
"Our uniforms simply say 'Hanover," said the school's athletic director, Fran Coyle. "That was something that was started by John Sullivan, who was here before me. He said, 'Protect yourself, just in case this ever happens."
The Indians' practice could prove to be cost efficient if a continuing discussion being conducted by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association surrounding the use of American Indian nicknames, mascots and logos by its member schools were to result in action banning their use.
Although MIAA officials admit they're unsure if they even have the authority to make any kind of ruling on the matter, the issue is scheduled to be addressed again when its sportsmanship committee reconvenes on May 9.
"I honestly don't know what the MIAA can do," said Coyle, "but I'd hate the thoughts of having to replace all our uniforms in one year.
"We're on a cycle (to replace uniforms). To do it all in one year would cost thousands. You'd probably be looking at $30,000."
Which, in the grand scheme of things, would be a hefty price for any school district to pay.
According to the New England Anti-Mascot Coalition, which carries the credo "native people are not mascots," 46 public high schools in Massachusetts have teams with names, logos or mascots with Native American themes.
Three schools whose athletic teams are covered by The Enterprise — Hanover, Middleboro and the Blue Hills Regional Technical High School Warriors — are among the 46 listed on the Web site of the coalition, which maintains the names, mascots and logos are offensive to American Indians.
Coyle-Cassidy, whose Warrior logo is more Nordic than American Indian, isn't on that list.
"I don't perceive us as being one of the problems," Coyle-Cassidy athletic director Tom Pileski said. "We're a Viking-type warrior. I perceive this as a problem relating to American Indian warriors. No one's said anything to us."
While their schools have been cited by the New England Anti-Mascot Coalition, the athletic directors at Hanover, Middleboro and Blue Hills insist they haven't heard a word in objection first hand.
"This is my fifth year as AD and I haven't heard a word. There's been nothing," said Coyle. "I recall a complaint maybe 10 to 15 years ago, but it was very short and it was quiet."
"I haven't received any concerns or complaints from anyone in the community regarding our logo and I don't believe anyone in the school district has," Middleboro athletic director Dave Paling said. "No one's brought it to my attention. There's never been a call, a letter or a knock on the door."
"It's never been a problem here," Blue Hills athletic director Vin Hickey said. "I've never heard a complaint."
While the New Hampshire State Board of Education passed a resolution in 2002 endorsing the elimination of the use of Indian sports mascots, the practice has been more prevalent at the college level.
As far back as 1969, American Indian activists were calling for changes that resulted in Dartmouth College's nickname being changed from the Indians to the Big Green.
In this area, just two years ago Stonehill College changed its long-standing Chieftains nickname to the Skyhawks. That occurred nearly a decade after the college replaced its feather headdress logo to a couple of feathers.
Massasoit Community College's athletic teams are known as the Warriors.
While still known as the Warriors, Blue Hills altered its logo some time ago.
"We used to have the outline of a Warrior," said Hickey, "but a few years ago we changed it to the letters 'BH' with an arrow."
Pileski said he views the mascots in a light that is complimentary, rather than inflammatory, an opinion backed by both Paling and Hickey.
"I try to view things in a positive light," said Pileski. "To me, it's a compliment toward the American Indian when I see the Florida State Seminoles or the Central Michigan Chippewas. Unfortunately, other people look at it as a negative.
"In Middleboro's case, to me (the Sachem) deals with the history of the community. It's a positive that Middleboro remembers the Indian that way."
"In our case as the Sachems," said Paling, "my understanding was that it was meant to honor a symbol of bravery, strength."
"To me," said Hickey, "it's always been a proud thing."