Maine Gov. Janet Mills, shown at the April signing ceremony to establish Indigenous Peoples' Day. By Samantha Pell Samantha Pell Reporter covering high school sports Email Bio Follow May 17 at 4:43 PM Twenty years ago, Maulian Dana was watching a Maine high school basketball game between two teams called the “Indians” and the “Warriors.” Her gaze drifted toward the student sections, where she saw kids chanting and dancing with fake feathers and war paint on their bodies.
The bill, which passed unanimously, will become effective 90 days after the state legislature adjourns. “While Indian mascots were often originally chosen to recognize and honor a school’s unique connection to Native American communities in Maine, we have heard clearly and unequivocally from Maine tribes that they are a source of pain and anguish,” Mills said in a statement. “A mascot is a symbol of pride, but it is not the source of pride. Our people, communities, and understanding and respect for one another are Maine’s source of pride and it is time our symbols reflect that.
"I think on the federal level something should be done as well,” said Rep. Benjamin Collings , who sponsored the bill and advocates for other states to follow Maine’s legislative actions. “In Maine, we just realized that it is a distraction, is harmful and not needed. We wanted to affirm what every town in the state has said so far. It is harmful and there is no place for it.”
Ranco said a ban was supported by studies and research over the years, such as a 2005 report by the American Psychological Association, which called for the immediate retirement of all American Indian mascots, symbols, images and personalities. The report stated: “These mascots are teaching stereotypical, misleading and too often, insulting images of American Indians. These negative lessons are not just affecting American Indian students; they are sending the wrong message to all students.
So representation and identity does not matter for Native American children, but kids can walk around with all types of cultural T-shirt’s, tattoos, etc to represent their cultural identity, but not Native American children. Really
can't it also be a sign of respect?
Y’all really are trying to wipe away any memory of them aren’t y’all?
I think this kind of change and sensitivity is long overdue and it’s a move in the right direction for this country.
It’s about damn time NotYourMascot
Another wasted moment in time by idiot politicians,...
Stupid. Are there any real Native American's who are complaining or is this another liberal made up issue.
I bet Alabama won’t steal THIS!
deray So it's Elizabeth Warren allowed to go into Maine?
So, using a group of people as a mascot is bad. Someone want to tell that to the Houston Texans? Seriously though, when will Notre Dame stop being the Fighting Irish? How is that worse than Fighting Sioux?
SamanthaJPell How about Maine is the first state to say NO to racist sports logos?
Congratulations on your “1st state status.” You caught the other 49 with their pants down.
I don’t understand the protest to this. Organizations using American Indian logos do it out of respect.
Meanwhile. Man in country illegally charged with 11 murders in Texas. Thanks dems!
We have the blessing of the Seminoles of Florida so who cares
Hallelujah! Show some respect to the real Americans.
🧐
Why does Maine hate Indians?
Some school in Maine should give these SJW people the finger, name their team the redskins. Free speech, remember that?
Terrible discrimination against native Americans. You’d think the US was past all this by now
deray Lemme guess: SenatorCollins will write a letter saying she’s deeply concerned...
God I am so sick of this pc culture. Let's go back to the days when we could laugh at racism because it was nothing but a joke. Back when you could be proud of a mascot and not have to worry about everyone being butthurt all the time.
Oh no how can the world function without using an entire race as mascots for stuff when the world stops turning due to this ridiculous rule we will all know wits because of pc culture 🤭
Hope this spreads to other states. Last year I attended several commencement events at Syracuse University in upstate NY. Each event began with the speakers encouraging the crowd to take a moment to honor the Onondaga Nation whose ancestral lands are the site for the campus.
I'm not an expert, but Wisconsin did that already in circa 2010. Oregon did so as well in 2012.
why don't they get rid of all sports, isn't that coming?
thank you JanetMillsforME !!! you are a hero. I am in full support of this unprecedented anti-racist decree! Thanks you! PauletteEJordan we are many we are strong! rogerwaters
this plus the recent styrofoam ban is making me see Maine in a new light 👏👏👏
Political correctness run amok
Great move Maine
Go Noles!
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