A tiny Northern California highschool in Yuba County is making a last-ditch effort to revive its “Indians” mascot after a regulation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom pressured faculties to cease utilizing Native American mascots.
Marysville Excessive College in Marysville, CA eliminated the “Indians” mascot from official use after the regulation took impact in July, however officers say they’re nonetheless pursuing the one exemption that might permit its return, reported FOX40.
The regulation, signed by Newsom in September 2024, bars California public faculties from utilizing what it describes as “derogatory Native American” phrases for mascots and sports activities groups.
Faculties can maintain an present mascot in the event that they acquire written consent from a federally acknowledged tribe.
Superintendent Jordan Reeves mentioned the Marysville Joint Unified College District plans to hunt that exemption regardless of an preliminary setback.
“The Marysville Joint Unified College District Board of Trustees acknowledges the deep historical past and custom related to the Indians mascot and acknowledges the sturdy connection many alumni, college students, employees, and neighborhood members should it,” Reeves mentioned in a June 30 assertion.
District officers beforehand met with tribal representatives in an effort to acquire the required approval, however Reeves mentioned they “selected to stay impartial concerning the district’s request.”
In response to the California State Geoportal, the closest federally acknowledged tribe to Marysville is Enterprise Rancheria, situated south of Olivehurst.
The district mentioned it should proceed searching for written consent from an area federally acknowledged tribe in hopes of restoring the mascot.
The 2024 American Group Survey discovered that 1.9% of Marysville residents recognized as American Indian or Alaska Native.
“Marysville Excessive College stays dedicated to honoring its proud traditions whereas persevering with to serve college students and uphold the long-standing values and expectations of the Marysville neighborhood,” Reeves mentioned.
Newsom has since handed 136 acres of beloved California shoreline to Indigenous tribes. A beloved stretch of California’s rugged shoreline is headed again to Indigenous stewardship after a Gavin Newsom-backed state fee permitted the switch of a well-liked Mendocino County seashore to 3 Indigenous tribes.
The 136-acre property, encompassing Blues Seaside and the dramatic coastal bluffs simply south of the neighborhood of Westport, might be transferred to Kai Poma, a nonprofit representing the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Spherical Valley Indian Tribes and Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians.
