SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Members of the Shinnecock Nation spoke out over news that the state Board of Regents reportedly voted unanimously to ban schools from using Native American mascots, team names and logos on Tuesday.
For members of the Shinnecock Nation, the decision is an important step in healing wounds that have run deep for generations.
Lance Gumps, tribal ambassador/vice president for the National Congress of American Indians for the Northeast Region, said he is actively working on the changes with several school districts.
In 2019, Gumbs, at a community discussion in Bridgehampton, spoke passionately about how the term mascot has symbolized racism in the United States for years.
“One of the biggest issues we face is the mascot issue,” he said. “Everybody thinks it's funny.”
The Washington Redskins football team, in 2022, has officially changed its name to the Washington Commanders, following an outcry from indigenous peoples over the word they found offensive, deeply affecting and hurting past and present generations, including children.
“Some people have no idea what that word 'redskins' means to us as Indians,” Gumps said in 2019. “In the 1700s, in parts of New England and the northern United States, people put up posters that read: 50 shillings for the red skin of an Indian male 25 shillings for the red skin of an Indian female. To us, it is extremely offensive if we had Kansas City—- Or would there be such an outcry? this country for that.”
But for years, Gubs said, “A word so offensive to our people was completely ignored. We're not mascots. But because we're the forgotten people, it didn't matter.”
Insults are not only harmful to older generations, but to children, he said. “The hurtful things they say to us is unbelievable.”
Gubs said even as a student at Southampton High School, three white boys tried to cut his long hair, with a braid of scissors, but he was reprimanded. “Nobody understands the plight — it's real for us.”
That's why this week, Gumps said he was pleased with the decision and excited to work with school districts to create real and meaningful change for future generations.
Tela Troge, an attorney for the Shinnecock Nation, also applauded the news: “I am proud of the New York State Regents for requiring schools across the state to retire the sports team names, logos and mascots that inspired from Native Americans,” he said. “The current generation of students has learned a truer story of historical injustice against Native Americans than previous generations. Much of this transferable knowledge was due to the curriculum developed in consultation with the Native Nations of New York State and the New York State Board of Regents It will be exciting to see new mascots that respect the dignity and diversity of students, on and off campus, who share the educational space to pursue their bright futures.”
Not everyone embraced the decision. One of the Long Island schools directly affected by the decision is Massapequa, nicknamed the “Chiefs.” The school's Board of Education and Superintendent William Brennan take a hard line against the state.
“We have heard from many members of our community upset by this decision and we stand with you,” they wrote in a letter posted on the website. “We are Massapequa and we will not sit idly by while an unelected group of officials tries to remove our history. We are in the process of reviewing the decision and exploring all options with legal counsel.”
As Patch previously reported, the New York Board of Regents was expected to approve a regulation strengthening the state Department of Education's 22-year-old rule on school mascots, nicknames and imagery based on indigenous peoples. In 2001, then-Education Commissioner Richard Mills said the use of Native American symbols or depictions as mascots could be a barrier to building a safe and supportive school community and improving academic achievement for all students — and recommended changing the areas as soon as possible.
With reporting by Daniel Hampton and Jerry Barmash.
