The Saugus Scene
Saugus Advertiser
Thursday, March 15, 2007
From Staff Reports
Still Sachems
While Natick school officials thought it wise to do away with the nickname "Redmen," the Saugus School Committee took no action on a request from the New England Anti-Mascot Coalition to drop Sachems as the town's athletic team name and mascot.
The coalition sent Superintendent of Schools Dr. Keith Manville a letter last month asking that the Sachems nickname be done away with.
Manville briefed the School Committee about the letter and mentioned the 4-3 Natick School Committee vote to stop using the team name Redmen. He speculated that additional correspondence could be on the horizon.
"I don't think this is something that will just disappear," Manville said. "I think it's something we'll need to eventually confront."
School Committee member Ellen Faiella questioned if Sachems and Redmen truly fall in the same category. Fans of the Sachem name have said it honors the town's Native American heritage.
"I don't think Sachems compares to Redmen," she said. "I think this is silly and that we should just leave it alone."