State School Board Banning Native American School Nicknames

The Oregon Board of Education has voted to require Oregon schools to retire their Native American mascots within five years or risk losing state funding.
     The vote Thursday gives Oregon some of the nation's toughest
restrictions on American Indian nicknames, mascots and logos.
     Eight high schools will need to change their nickname and mascot
by July 2017 or lose state money. In southern Oregon, Rogue River High School, now known as the "Chieftans," would be affected, as would Roseburg High School, with their "Indians" nickname.

Seven schools identified as the "Warriors" only have to alter their mascot.

     Since the 1970s, more than 600 high school and college teams
have dropped Native American nicknames, including 20 in Oregon. But
some small communities have resisted the trend, saying their
nickname is a source of pride and tradition. Critics of the ban also say changing uniforms, letterhead, signage, fields, floors and website that bear school logos and will be a financially costly move.