Pocatello High School Indians mascot to be retired
Gifferd Osborne speaks to Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 Board of Trustees members at the September 15 meeting.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
POCATELLO — The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 Board of Trustees voted 4-1 in favor of retiring the Indian mascot effective June 1, 2021.
The action was voted upon at the regular board meeting on Tuesday, September 15 before a packed room.
Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Devon Boyer said the decision is a step forward to create healing for everyone. He recognized it was a sensitive issue, not only for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes but everyone that’s gone to school there and everyone that is in school there now.
Boyer said the change is a celebration that allows the opportunity to heal relationships with each other and make sure the curriculum is correct from the tribal perspective.
Public comment was heard from several people in attendance, who spoke at the meeting both in favor and unopposed to changing the mascot, some of those voices were from the Fort Hall community.
In introducing the issue, and as testimony was brought forth, Pocatello High School Principal Lisa Delonas asked that people focus on the research of the matter, which has shown Native American mascots harm Native American students and harm other students as well. She cited from the American Psychological Associations resolution that recommends the retirement of Native American mascots, for the following reasons:
• They undermine the educational experience of members of all communities, especially those who’ve had little or no contact with Indigenous peoples.
• They establish an unwelcome and hostile learning environment for American Indian students that are exposed to negative images and stereotypes.
• It undermines the ability of American Indian Nations to portray accurate and respectful images of their culture, spirituality and traditions.
• It presents stereotypical images of American Indians.
• They’re a form of discrimination against American Indian nations that can lead to negative relations between groups.
Delonas said this research has been conducted over decades and the findings have not wavered. “It’s scientifically researched phenomenon that indisputably shows that Native American mascots cause harm,” she said.
FHBC Chairman Devon Boyer speaks.
Several non-Native student body were in attendance and were in favor of changing the name showing empathy they had for the Native American students. One of them stated a change in the mascot does not change the spirit the school represents. One student pointed out if it was truly about honoring the people they should listen to their voices.
A Pocatello football coach said he was in support of changing the name and said as a society they shouldn’t choose what’s offensive to others and not consider how they feel.
Tribal member Michele Dann Hernandez spoke in favor of the Pocatello name remaining. As a descendent of Chief Pocatello she said she represented her family and has a Pocatello yearbook with a picture of the council who approved the name. Her father had painted the Chiefs head in the circle of the gym stand, which she witnessed. He told her to never forget who you are and where you came from. She said the Indian not only represents the Shoshone-Bannock people, but other tribes. She said if there is change to be made it should be with the Pocatello family, because it’s their fight and their right.
Clayton Armstrong said a school takes great time and effort to choose a mascot, one that represents characteristics such as courage, loyalty, virtue, bravery, intelligence, leadership and determination, he said the Pocatello mascot always represented that to him and he was honored to put on the uniform with the logo because it made him want to be better. He said the mascot was chosen to honor and respect the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
A parent of a student at Pocatello High and tribal member, Kendra Benally, said she never really paid attention to the issue until her daughter was a student there and seeing the Indianettes perform their “Traditionals” dance was embarrassing and humiliating to watch. It made her daughter upset and made her call into question some of the “traditions” the school had at their pep assemblies, including the breaking of an arrow at the end of their dance. She supports the change.
Her daughter, Jennika Foster, who also stated she was a descendant of Pocatello, said she supports the change. She talked about how she took offense at the spirit stick the school uses during assemblies that is a staff adorned with feathers. She suggested the school should learn real traditions of the people so they can honor them in the right way.
The Pocatello High School Senior class president said she was in favor of a name change because mascots are meant to be bashed on and attacked.
The Pocatello High School student body president said although they had good intentions they cannot makeup for a hurtful impact and mascots are dehumanizing and disrespectful.
FHBC Sergeant at Arms Lee Juan Tyler speaks.
Another in support of the name change was teacher Dirk Mitton who said he has a great deal of love for Pocatello traditions, but said what matters most are relationships and he thinks change is necessary.
Carly Johnson, a dance teacher at Pocatello High, was in support of the mascot until she pictured herself and her family in the same situation, which made her change her mind.
Student Alexia Tinno talked about the Indianettes performance and felt it was culturally inappropriate. Watching it she described feeling disrespected.
Tribal member Gifferd Osborne was in support of the name and said it should remind people this is Indian Country, as it was once the homelands of the Shoshone and Bannock people. He acknowledged the mockery, but said those are just words. He felt the school didn’t know about the people and maybe they needed to be educated more.
Some who opposed change to the mascot voiced they felt it would strip away their traditions and many were alumni or had family who attended the school.
Louida Benally also said she saw the Indianettes perform and didn't feel right about it. She didn’t want to blame the dancers, but said the school doesn’t represent the people well and she would like to see more history written and on display in the school. She was in favor of changing the mascot.
Diane Yupe also reminded people of the Sho-Ban Tribes and their ties to the land. She felt the history of the people should be taught, so students will show respect. She felt the Indianettes performance was disrespectful and wanted to educate the young ladies on the importance of warbonnets.
Fort Hall Business Council Sergeant at Arms, Lee Juan Tyler, said the mockery part is where education needs to be. He talked about the Tribes history with Pocatello city and said this land is still dear to them.
“If you’re going to keep the name, stop the mockery – If you’re going to change it, that will be even better, it will bring a healing to America and southeastern Idaho,” he said.
Crowd at the school board meeting.
Ladd Edmo said 100 years is not that long when you look at history and culture of the Sho-Ban Tribes who’ve been here for centuries. He pointed out the mascot is a problem to Sho-Ban students and there needs to be an education.
FHBC Chairman Devon Boyer said they want the school district to be responsible and consult with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
He wanted to assure the children are receiving adequate education in a safe environment including tribal history and tribal government. Boyer said safety of the children is most important.
“It's not just Shoshone-Bannock children, it's all children, wherever they are,” he said. “You can see all the destruction going on in the world today and we don't want none of that. We want good things, with respect to all and to all of Pocatello High’s history.”
After the public comment the Board of Trustees deliberated.
Janie Gebhardt made motion to change the name but no one seconded.
Jim Facer said he knows they will have to change in the future and wanted to set a future date.
Jackie Cranor spoke emotionally as she said, “We can accomplish great things when we work together.”
She said it was too bad they couldn’t fix these things before they became so hurtful. She supported retiring mascot at the end of the school year to give everybody time to reflect on their feelings. The time would give public and the Tribes chance to work on it — to heal and come together. Cranor said it was hard for her to see change but feel it is time.
Gebhardt said she was not in favor at all and said they were at a point where they were hearing all the hurt that has been done.
“To me this is a justice issue. Do we keep pushing injustice?” she asked.
Facer motioned to retire the mascot effective as of June 1, so the graduating seniors can have their mascot through the end of the year. During that time they will come up with a new mascot. Four were in favor of the motion with Gebhardt opposing.
Randy’L Teton, the Sho-Ban Tribes Public Affairs spokeswoman, thanked the tribal members in attendance. She said it was a good step towards making necessary changes and they want to add in cultural curriculum in the districts.
She said there has been no discussion to change anything else in the city of Pocatello when referring to other names.
