October 23, 2006
Jim Chase
Athletic Director/Dean of Students
Laconia High School
345 Union Avenue
Laconia, NH 03246-2811
Dear Mr. Chase,
My name is Pete Sanfaçon and I am the founder and director of the New England Anti-Mascot Coalition. The NEAMC is a grassroots organization of Indian and non-Indian advocates founded earlier this year to help educate high schools and communities across New England about racial stereotypes in federally-funded public schools.
In your position as athletic director at Laconia High School, I am sure you are aware of the controversy surrounding the use of Native American mascots, nicknames, and logos for high school, college, and professional sports teams. Laconia is one of six high schools in the state of New Hampshire that still use names like “Warriors,” “Indians,” or “Sachems” for their sports teams.
Would you please consider working with us to open discussions on the “Sachems” nickname and logo at Laconia High School? I’ve included some educational materials, including a copy of the N.H. State Board of Education’s 2002 resolution calling on “all districts to examine this issue and to eliminate the use of [Native American] sports mascots.”
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Pete Sanfaçon
New England Anti-Mascot Coalition