(Spirit Lake)– The Spirit Lake Indian mascot may be on its way out. Controversy over the mascot resurfaced at Monday’s school board meeting. Superintendent Tim Grieves told the board this may be a good time to deal with the issue as the district looks at purchasing mats and other items for the new High School gym. He says some states, such as Minnesota, have totally outlawed the Indian mascot. Grieves added the Spirit Lake school district was recognized by the state in 1997 for no longer using the indian headdress as part of its mascot. Grieves says the district would no longer receive such an acolade. He says certain elements of the Spirit Lake indian mascot have become offensive. Grieves singled out indian caricatures on some wrestling information pamphlets and on wrestling uniforms that have little indians on them portrayed as wrestlers. Grieves said “it’s a caricature that’s really in poor taste. Those uniforms will be coming up due next year and that needs to go”.
The Spirit Lake school board Monday directed several committees, including the district’s cultural and non-sexist committee…to meet and discuss the matter. They are to come up with recommendations to be presented to the school board at its next regular meeting, February 13th.
The indian mascot is the topic of our latest Explore Okoboji on-line poll. Go to the Explore Okoboji-dot-com home page and click on the “take our poll” icon.
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