(Spirit Lake)– Controversy over the Indian mascot reared its head again at Monday’s Spirit Lake school board meeting.
The issue surfaced when the board considered a list of fundraising activities various school groups are proposing for the upcoming school year.
Two events in particular came under scrutiny: one is for a request from the Athletic Booster Club and cheerleaders to sell tatoos; the other is from the Athletic Booster Club and the High School Dance Team to spray paint indian heads on driveways.
Renae Sipma is a member of the Spirit Lake school’s Multi-Cultural/Non-Sexist Committee. She requested the board put a stipulation on the request, asking the groups find symbols other than indian heads to paint and use for tatoos.
However, Superintendent Tim Grieves told the board there’s currently nothing in the district’s policies banning the indian head, as long as war paint, caricatures and other offensive features aren’t included.
After further discussion, the board voted three-to-two to allow the groups to proceed with their fundraising projects as originally proposed. Board members Ann Goerss and Cliff Garvey cast the no votes.
It’s the second time in less than a year the indian mascot controversy has surfaced. After several months of heated debate and controversy last winter, the board decided to leave the indian mascot, but encouraged each building to adopt curriculum teaching about native american culture and values.
