Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation banning schools within the state from using Native American names, symbols, or imagery in their mascots, logos, or team names.
The bill, signed by Inslee on Monday, refers to such usages as “racially derogatory or discriminatory” and called it “antithetical to [schools’] mission of providing an equal education to all.”
“This will end the disrespectful use of Native American imagery in our public schools,” the governor said at the bill signing.
The measure passed on April 6 in the Senate by a 40-6 vote and passed in the House with a 90-8 vote six days later.
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“Although the inappropriate use of Native American names, symbols, or images may be premised on the promotion of unity or school spirit, their use fails to respect the cultural heritage of Native Americans and promote productive relationships between sovereign governments,” the legislation read.
The ban will go into effect at the start of the next calendar year, though there are some exceptions. It will not apply if a school is located within “Indian country” or public schools that include tribal reservations within the district.
The legislation also calls for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to create a grant program to ensure that schools have the necessary funding to make some of these changes.
In recent years, a number of professional sports teams that had logos or imagery associated with Native Americans have also implemented similar changes.
The Washington Redskins changed their name prior to the start of the 2020 season to the Washington Football Team, though that was a temporary name. The team hasn’t announced a finalized name. The Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Chiefs implemented policies that banned fans from wearing headdresses and face paint that resemble Native Americans. The Indians will change their name after the conclusion of this season.
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Last summer, the Atlanta Braves said they were not considering changing their team name but were thinking about ending a Braves-specific and Native American-themed cheer.
