Proposed bill would push for Nebraska schools to discontinue Native American mascots

Did you know 22 Nebraska schools still use Native American mascots?

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A proposed legislative bill would provide grants to schools that discontinue the use of Native American mascots in Nebraska.

“It’s really unacceptable and embarrassing to Nebraska that we still have 22 public schools in our state that use Native American mascots. There are members of the tribes that say this is hurtful and I think we need to find a way to do something about it,” Senator Megan Hunt of Omaha said.

LB1027, introduced by Hunt, would incentivize public schools in Nebraska to discontinue the use of American Indian mascots. For schools that decide to make the change, they would become eligible for grant funding from the Department of Education to cover the costs associated with replacing their mascot. Each school would be eligible to apply for a grant of up to $200,000.

“I understand that there is a big cost that comes to public schools when you’re basically changing the whole brand of the school and there are schools that want to do this, but just simply can’t afford it,” Hunt said.

Erin Poor, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, backs this proposed bill 100%. She says native mascots harm native kids and leave them vulnerable, especially when it comes to their mental health.

“When we’re talking about schools, educational environments that are supposed to be safe, affirming, inclusive, empowering, uplifting. Native mascots do the exact opposite. They harm, they degrade, they belittle native people, including the native students that they serve,” Poor said.

Poor has spent years visiting the Sioux County community in Nebraska’s panhandle – home of the Warriors – and she says seeing their mascot makes her cringe.

“You have that image brazened everywhere, from clothing to things on the walls in their gym, to spray-paint on their sidewalks, it’s everywhere and it needs to change,” Poor said.