Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council resolution adopted January 30, 2006:

 
Resolution 2006-01.03

Address to Public School Districts Regarding Indian Nicknames,  Logos and Mascots

 
Whereas, the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. is a consortium of 
eleven federally recognized Indian tribes located in Wisconsin and Michigan; and 

Whereas, some Wisconsin public schools still have school nickname/logo 
policies based on race which target Native Americans; and

Whereas, the American Psychological Association has confirmed the 
growing body of knowledge indicating that these race-based school policies 
can harm all students, but particularly Native American students; and 

Whereas, a diverse and growing body of professional opinion has shown 
that these policies reduce the self-esteem of Native American students 
and reduce the number of future roles Native American students visualize 
for themselves in society; and

Whereas, a diverse and growing body of professional opinion has shown 
that these policies constitute discrimination based on race because they 
raise the self-esteem of non-Native Americans while lowering the 
self-esteem of Native Americans; and 

Whereas, the Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction has 
recently re-affirmed support for the elimination of Native American nicknames, 
logos, and mascots in public schools, and has written to public school 
districts across the State of Wisconsin, encouraging them to consider 
alternatives to Native American imagery; and

Whereas, the "boost' in self-esteem experienced by non-Native Americans 
helps explain why some non-Native Americans support these race-based 
policies and have difficulty understanding why Native Americans could 
have a different view based on a different experience; and

Whereas, a diverse and growing body of professional opinion has shown 
that this harm occurs below the conscious level so that Native Americans 
are often not aware of the psychological impact; and 

Whereas, these race-based policies also harm non-Native students by 
"teaching" them that it is "acceptable" to stereotype Native Americans; 
and 

Whereas, the harm extends beyond the boundaries of the school district 
and similarly affects Native and non-Native athletes and fans in other 
school districts which compete against these schools; and

Whereas, members of Native American tribes are living in these school 
districts and are affected by these race-based 'Indian' nickname 
policies;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, 
Inc. respectfully asks that all school boards in school districts with 
these polices act quickly to find an alternative to using the Native 
American race for a school nickname, logo and/or mascot.

Certification

I, the undersigned Executive Director of the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal 
Council, Inc., do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was 
adopted by the Board of Directors the 30th day of January, 2006.

                                                
__________________________
(Signed)

Michael W. Allen, Sr., 
Executive Director