SUBJECT: Use of
American Indian Mascots by Public Schools in California
WHEREAS: The Southern California
Indian Center, Inc. (SCIC) mission statement includes the elimination
of barriers of discrimination of race, religion and gender..."
WHEREAS: The use of American Indian
names and images as mascots by schools perpetuates stereotypes about
American Indians; involves the misappropriation of American Indian
identity; and other includes the display or depiction of symbols or
practices having a religious significance to American Indians; and
WHEREAS: SCIC considers the use of
American Indian names and images as mascots by schools to be an
offensive practice that is inconsistent with the affirmative
obligations California's public schools have to combat racism and to
minimize and eliminate hostile environments on school grounds;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that SCIC acting through its Board
of Directors, hereby denouces the use of American Indian names and
images as mascots by schools; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that SCIC supports legislative
initiatives designed to prohibit or restrict the use of American
Indian names and images as mascots by public schools in California;
and
BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED that SCIC calls upon all California public
schools that currently use American Indian names and images as mascots
to voluntarily change their mascots to non-ethnic mascots.
CERTIFICATION
We, the undersigned officers of Southern California
Indian Center, Inc. do, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was
adopted by the Board of Directors meeting by a unanimous vote on April
16, 2000 in the city of Garden Grove, California.
(Signed)
(Signed)
Rose Luna, Lusieno
Sandra Chase, Muskogee Creek
President
Vice President
(Signed)
(Signed)
E. Jane Cazabet, Muskogee
Creek
Mary Cleghorn, Otoe
Secretary
Treasurer
Southern
California Indian Center Inc.
13252 Garden Grove Blvd., #100
P.O. Box 2550
Garden Grove, California 92842-2550
(714) 663-1102
(714) 663-1213 FAX
scicgg@earthlink.net