PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) — By 2017, the State of Oregon is requiring schools to get rid of mascots and mascot names that are associated with Native American tribes. Now, sportswear company adidas announced it will lead a nationwide voluntary initiative for high schools who want to change mascot names and identities.
Superintendent for Amity School District Jeff Clark said, “As a district, we were disappointed that the State Board of Education went this route.” Clark said the district would have preferred to work individually with its local tribes.
“We’ve never had any issues with our local tribes which is the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde,” he said.
The school district is in the process of setting up a committee to look into the resign design and reimplementation process. Speaking about the current mascot and mascot’s name, Clark said the community is “proud.”“There’s no money coming from the state to offset the costs that are being imposed,” Clark said.
“It is an identity that has been around for a long time. That logo is everywhere and it really is a connection.”
Clark worries about the cost. The high school has its mascot and name on the gym floor, scoreboards and murals. All of it will have to be replaced.
“It really kind of changes the feel of the school,” Clark says.
Vince Swagerty, who is the principal at Reedsport Community Charter School, said their mascot’s name is “Brave.” The school and district, Swagerty says, is coming up with an action and financial plan regarding the redesign process.
“If it has to come from our general funds, that’s teaching staff or supplies, or materials that we’re not going to be able to purchase,” Swagerty says.
In a press release issued Thursday, adidas says it “will offer its design resources to any high school in America that wants to change their logo or mascot from potentially harmful Native American imagery or symbolism. Additionally, the company will provide financial assistance to schools who want to change their identity to ensure the transition is not cost prohibitive.”
According to adidas, of the more than 27,000 high schools across the United States approximately 2,000 of them use names that “cause concern for many tribal communities.”A spokesperson for the company declined an interview.
High schools interested in changing their mascot identity can email their request to mascotchange@adidas.com
