ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Education Department put out a directive to all school districts across the state to not use Native American symbols or mascots are part of their school name, mascots, sports teams, or logos.
If districts fail to comply with the state's directive, schools could be penalized by having school officers removed or state aid withheld.
Back in 2001, former Commissioner Richard P. Mills issued a memo stating “conclud[ing] that the use of Native American symbols or depictions as mascots can become a barrier to building a safe and nurturing school community and improving academic achievement for all students.”
Seneca Nation of Indians President Rickey Armstrong, Sr. issued this statement in regard to the state's decision:
“The decision handed down by the state Education Department is a positive step whose time has long since come. Names and imagery that mock, degrade and devalue Native heritage, culture and people have no place in our society. The historic decimation of Native people should not be celebrated in any fashion or used as a community rallying cry, especially in the realm of education. While individuals in different communities may not associate their team names with the horrors that Native people have faced throughout history, the fact remains that many team names and images further longstanding anti-Native biases.
“The state’s decision appropriately suggests consultation between school communities and Native Nations. The Seneca Nation has long believed that dialogue, rooted in respect and understanding, can yield positive results. Respecting Native people, our culture, and our history is not a one-community issue, but a conversation that needs to happen in all communities and districts where Native-themed nicknames and imagery are still in use. This includes the Salamanca City Central School District, located on our Allegany Territory, which has a very unique relationship with the Seneca Nation. We will have further discussions with the district’s leaders, just as we have had conversations with multiple school districts in recent years.
“Our Nation remains willing to participate in further discussions so that school districts and their communities can come together to support team names and imagery that reflects and respects the character and value of all residents and students.”
Salamanca City Central School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Beehler told 2 on Your Side that their current "Warriors" logo in use for 50 years is actually a depiction of a Seneca Nation male which was drawn by Seneca artist Carson Waterman.
He says some students do favor dropping the mascot and logo. But the district, which has Seneca Nation members on its school board, wants to consider the overall situation.
"I'm really looking forward to this as an opportunity to get us all on the same page. And make sure that you know if we continue the use of the name the Warriors and the existing logo that we have - that as I said we do it respectfully and in a manner that we all understand," Beehler said.
Beehler adds, "We're gonna look at this as sort of a consensus building opportunity, Consult with the Seneca Nation that in the event we do decide that we're gonna move forward with a possible exemption - are we doing it a manner than is respectful of the heritage that we serve."
He points out, "The state did put in a clause that indicates that schools can consult with Native American tribes or Native American nations and with their approval seek exemption from the state education department."
Some schools in Western New York have changed their names already, like the Lancaster Legends, who were previously known as the Lancaster Redskins. There are still some schools in WNY that have not.
The Tonawanda Warriors and Iroquois Central Chiefs are just a few districts that still use Native American symbols as part of their school name/teams.
A spokesperson says West Seneca is changing the logo for its West High School from the "Indians" to the letter "W" with slogans of "Bleed Blue" or "Go West."
Jamestown has also switched over to the letter "J" at this point.
Districts have until the end of the 2022-23 school year to make the changes.
You can read the memo here: