The Rogue River School District must retire the Native American nicknames, mascots and logos of its two schools within five years or risk losing state funding, the Oregon Board of Education ordered.
The rule requires 15 high schools, mostly in smaller cities, to erase American Indian mascots from uniforms, sports fields, websites, trophy cases and school stationary by July 1, 2017. Those who are Warriors only have to alter their mascots.
"It is racist. It is harmful. It is shaming. It is dehumanizing," Se-ah-dom Edmo, vice preisdent of the Oregon Indian Education Association, told the board.
Supporters say it honors Native people, evoking values of strength and bravery.
