Members of School Administrative District 54 School Board listened to a panel of respectful and well-spoken Natives representing many different tribes tell them that we are not honored by Skowhegan’s Indian mascot and that such mascots perpetuate harmful stereotypes, mock our culture, create a fertile environment for racist attitudes and behaviors, and contribute to the identity crises of many of our people (especially children).

Eleven of them still voted to keep the racist mascot alive.

They also attended a public forum at which the residents of the district told them what they would like to see the board do. There are glaring discrepancies between the meeting where we Natives had our turn to speak and the public forum.

Our meeting was an informational session to part of the board. We spoke about history and modern-day implications of cultural appropriation. At the public forum, people spoke from their hearts and gave testimony to the entire board. Had board members let the Natives speak during the public forum, they would have had a much more complete view of our position, something they desperately needed. The process was neither fair nor equal.

Although the Natives were silenced, many residents of district towns spoke with eloquence and tact about the many reasons to change the racist mascot, yet 11 members clung to it.

Zachary Queenan, 17, had started a “Keep Skowhegan the Indians” Facebook page. After the forum, he changed his position, because he saw the pain felt by Maine Indians, and he was troubled by the “lack of love” directed at us. He just used his heart and his humanity. He let go of what he thought and embraced what he felt, turning over the Facebook page to someone else. In the face of his peers who wear the Indian jersey and make racist chants and whoops at games (which we heard outside of the public forum), Queenan did the right thing, yet 11 board members failed to.

In 2001, Skowhegan voted to stop the racist practices like the horrendous halftime show and the culturally inaccurate imagery. A survey during this process asked residents what they thought about the mascot change. One comment defended the name, saying, “At least we’re not calling them sluts and drunks.”

Honor? Respect?

Online comments directed at me have included:

• “If you don’t live in a tipi then you’re not an Indian and I don’t care what you have to say.”

• “You got your education with my tax dollars so leave us alone.”

• “You are as extreme as Muslims and everyone hates them so they will hate you too.”

• “I am as Indian as you are and Skowhegan is my tribe.”

I’ve been called horrible names, been called a bad parent, and have been on the receiving end of people’s frustration and hate. They are using their societal privilege to spew hate about me, and they have the power to do this because they are used to Indians being a painting on a wall, not people.

If I were alone in your town, I would feel threatened. I will not let my daughters go to your town because I know these few, but dangerous, people are lurking.

Indian mascots will be looked back on as a shameful thing that Americans used to do, like black face that was racist to African Americans. Would you defend Skowhegan N-words?

The American Psychological Association has called for removal of Indian mascots because they harm all children.

The school system is teaching children racism and bullying. School board members admitted that they were intimidated by townspeople and that they were told that if they changed the mascot, voters would not pass your budget.

They were heckled at the May 7 meeting by an unruly crowd, who had no respect for protocol or decency. These same people also yelled things at us as we left the school.

Honor? Respect?

We aren’t going away. Not only for our people but for the people in Skowhegan who were silenced by 11 school board members who are OK with not upholding their oath to protect the children. A student approached us outside the meeting, saying he was embarrassed of his town and that students wanted the name changed, but they were not listened to because of the adults who bullied the school board.

From my heart, I want to thank the nine school board members who voted to change the mascot. This is not the end.

Maulian Smith is a member of the Penobscot Nation.

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