![]() ![]() should be rejected." Names like Warriors, Chiefs and Braves are included in that, Bruegl said. The Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council issued a resolution in 2019 that asserted “race-based Indian logos, mascots, names and images. "The names and logos help glorify stereotypical images of Native Americans." ![]() "There are areas where there aren't many Native Americans and you have non-native people whose only exposure to natives is our depiction as mascots," said Heather Bruegl, a historian and member of the Stockbridge-Munsee, a Native American group believed to have been among the first inhabitants of the Hudson Valley. That followed John Jay-Cross River High School changing its nickname to the "Wolves." Nyack, in response, adopted "RedHawks" and Mahopac announced in May it would become the "Wolf Pac" this fall.Īt the professional level, the Cleveland Indians and Washington Redskins have rebranded in recent years, becoming the Guardians and Commanders, respectively. Ketcham, Mahopac and Nyack to drop the "Indians" moniker, deeming it offensive. The latest demand for local schools to ditch the Native American nicknames began in 2020, when petitions drew a groundswell of support, calling for Roy C. So, we made it a grassroots thing, working with the community to come up with something we all support." "We had discussions and appealed to the state, but the decision was final. "As it would be for any district, there were some concerns because it's something we've had for many years," Castellani said of the local response to the name change. Our Lady of Lourdes High School also uses "Warriors,” but theirs isn’t associated with natives. "Warriors" isn't among the team names now disallowed, but Webutuck’s version was in reference to Native Americans and the imagery of its logo would've been considered problematic. The name change will be finalized with Board of Education approval in a July 10 meeting, then teams will begin ordering new uniforms. The changes "won't be that expensive" as the old symbols doesn't appear in many places throughout the district, Castellani said. The artwork was sent to a design company to be completed with "professional tweaking," said Dan Pietrafesa, the district's public information officer. The name change, and the community's involvement in the selection, adds to the buzz being generated by the athletic department, district superintendent Ray Castellani said.Īrt students created logos, which also were put to a vote, and the winning piece was a bolded "Webutuck" with a wildcat above it, its paws overhanging some of the lettering. The girls basketball team won its first section championship since 1997 and the high school plans to launch a football program that will merge with Millbrook and compete this fall. Webutuck is a small district of about 600 students in Amenia, on the outskirts of Dutchess County, and its athletic program has enjoyed some long-awaited success this year. Mahopac, Glens Falls, Corinth, Waterloo and Odessa-Montour are among the most recent in New York. They join a list of several schools nationwide that have ditched their Native American-related nickname since spring. Webutuck's school colors will remain green and white. Wildcats is one of the most popular mascot names at the high school and collegiate levels in the United States. Things are looking up for our athletic department and it's an exciting time for a rebrand." "The change had been talked about for quite a while, and that allowed us to begin preparing and ease it into it. ![]() "It was easy for us because we saw it coming," Webutuck athletic director Joe Lasaponara said of the state edict. The order: Education Department tells schools to drop Native American mascots or lose funding Petitions for change: Ketcham, Nyack grads want schools to drop 'Indians' nickname Work to augment the designs on its basketball court began this week. Noncompliant districts run the risk of state aid being withheld.Ĭhanges at Webutuck will include the repainting of insignia around the compound, particularly the signature green logo depicting a Native American face with war paint. This, of course, is in accordance with the New York State Education Department, which ordered schools last winter to cease using Indigenous names, mascots and emblems for athletic teams by the end of the school year. That was the nickname chosen by students and community members in a series of votes during the spring, and it is expected to be the name and logo adorning their uniforms and school grounds in the fall, eschewing the "Warriors." Webutuck is the latest area school district to drop its Native American-themed moniker and mascot, announcing this week a decision to rename its athletic teams the "Wildcats." ![]()
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