Michigan’s Mascot Makeover: Progress in Eliminating Offensive School Symbols

News Summary

In Michigan, significant strides have been made towards eliminating racially insensitive school mascots. The Native American Heritage Fund (NAHF) has allocated substantial grants to support schools in rebranding, fostering inclusivity and respect. The recent shift has seen notable community involvement, particularly by students, leading to successful rebranding efforts, such as Plymouth Canton Community Schools replacing their ‘Chiefs’ mascot with ‘Cobras’. Thanks to these initiatives, Michigan now stands as an example, free of offensive mascots in public schools.

Michigan’s Mascot Makeover: Progress in Eliminating Offensive School Symbols

In a remarkable development in Michigan, the ever-important conversation around school mascots has taken a positive turn. Implemented by the Native American Heritage Fund (NAHF), the drive to eliminate racially insensitive mascots from schools has unfolded beautifully over the past few years. Just recently, on May 29, 2024, Chairperson Dorie Rios of the NHBP Tribal Council delivered key insights during a presentation to representatives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) while they explored new housing projects at the Pine Creek Indian Reservation.

A United Front for Change

The NAHF was established with a friendly aim: to cultivate better relationships between Michigan’s K-12 schools, colleges, local governments, and the state’s twelve federally recognized Native American tribes. The push for change is not just about mascots. It also lays a strong emphasis on enhancing educational curriculums to better reflect the rich and diverse history of Native American culture.

In 2024 alone, the NAHF dished out a hefty $480,000 to ten Michigan educational institutions specifically to tackle the sensitive issues surrounding offensive mascots. What’s even more commendable is that since its inception in 2018, the NAHF has been able to support nearly sixty various entities with grants. One of their main goals continues to revolve around tackling the fifteen offensive high school mascots existing in Michigan.

Behind the Mascot Transformation

Back in 2003, the Michigan Board of Education recognized the harmful impact of Native American mascots and endorsed a resolution supporting their elimination. This major shift was instigated by the understanding that these mascots adversely affected the educational success of American Indian students. Rios pointed out that many of the mascots that have recently been scrutinized were originally created under the misguided notion that they were paying tribute to Native Americans, notably without proper dialogue with the Indigenous communities themselves.

The winds of change began to blow in 2013 when the Michigan Department of Civil Rights lodged a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights regarding the ongoing usage of these mascots. Over the past seven years, the NAHF has made remarkable strides in helping schools across the state reconsider their branding.

Student-Led Initiatives and Outcomes

Plymouth Canton Community Schools, which received a grant of approximately $145,894 to assist in replacing their former ‘Chiefs’ mascot with a new, sleeker identity — the ‘Cobras’. This grant effectively covered more than half of the estimated $200,000 needed for the entire rebranding endeavor, which included redesigning logos and updating athletic uniforms.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The decision to retire the Chiefs mascot faced significant opposition from alumni who strongly wished to keep the longstanding name. Yet in 2023, the district’s Board of Education stood firm, ultimately voting 6-1 in favor of the change.

A Bright Future Ahead

$484,500 awarded for projects honoring Native American culture, the NAHF has helped facilitate an incredible transformation, ceasing the use of any offensive mascots in Michigan. Rios proudly remarked that since the program’s commencement in 2018, fifteen offensive mascots have been successfully rebranded. With the latest funding cycle completed, Michigan now stands as a shining example without a single offensive mascot in its public schools.

The NAHF plans to continue its important work, with grants for future initiatives opening up in June. Schools interested in applying can expect a seamless process via the NAHF website, ensuring the spirit of inclusivity and respect remains front and center in Michigan’s educational framework.