School board: We will fight to be the 'Indians'
ROSEBURG, Ore. -- The Roseburg School District Board is continuing to fight for right to keep "the Indians" as the team name.
The State Board of Education voted in May to force all schools with a Native American mascot to change their moniker.
The Roseburg School board voted to authorize legal counsel to explore potential litigation challenging the ban.
>>Sound off! What do you think of the mascot ban?
Superintendent Dr. Larry Parsons says there's two reasons they're continuing the fight.
First , Parsons believes that the choice should belong to the individual school districts, who he thinks should work with the local tribes to come to an agreement.
"This is really a continuation of the promise that we made to the public when this whole mascot issue began," Parsons told KPIC News. "We will pursue from two places any resolution to this, to overcome the ban. One place is legislatively, and we're working on that. And the second place is legally. We want to make sure that the State Board of Education has the legal authority to make such decisions."
Second, Parsons also argues that the ban focuses on mascots but adds that "the Indians" is simply a team name: there is no mascot, and the pictured representation is a feather. "Roseburg doesn't even have a mascot, we don't have a logo that's Native American. What we have is a team name: a team name the Indians. So, it's really frustrating for me."
Parsons also finds fault with the research the state board cited. "All of the research that they talked about, the reason that they reopened this, was because of some "new research" that showed that use of a mascot or a logo was harmful to kids' self esteem," Parsons said. "I have said to them, "show me where a team name only is harmful to self esteem." They couldn't show us any research that said that. If we're not part of that research then take us off the list."
Parsons says that either way, they want the issue to be resolved soon.
"We'd like to either get started on this or let go of it as soon as possible because it's time for us to move on if there's no case to be made," he said.
The school board also voted to hold off on a local option levy they were planning on putting on the November ballot until the May election.
The State Board of Education is way out of line. They were not created to control political correctness at all local schools and they failed to obtain the opinions of local Native Americans. I agree with other comments, the schools should have fought other Federal mandates that failed and cost tax payer millions, but at lease they are taking a stand now.
The school board has time to spend on this topic, yet, they still teach a one sided version of and glorify Christopher Colombus. They don't teach that he and his men used them as slaves, raped their women and killed many of them during their hunt for Gold. The word Native American is no different than Indian. They use topics like this to avoid positive and real work.
I was born in this country so as a Native American I have no objection to an American Indian mascot if the mascot is portrayed respectfully not clownishly like Notre Dame uses the Fighting Irish. Â
i hope they are teaching the kids at this school about native american history (the REAL story. no sugar coating), culture and that its not just a school name. Also, the significance of the feather should be taught so these students dont just think "oh all indians wear feathers!" they have meaning to different tribes for different reasons.Â
I'm very PC I think we should take away all school name and give them nubers. I mean we don't want to upset some idiot
I think it is reduculous. I have Indian heritage and I feel it is an honor. Google all the names of places in the United States that have Indian names. Are they going to change those too. Our high school is the "Indians" and the two middle schools are the "Braves" and "Warriors". We are in North Georgia, historical home of Cherokee Chief Joseph Vann and clelebrate "Vann Days" every year. As far as I know we have no Indians living in our county. Strange isn't it.  Guess they will want the Atlanta Braves to change next???
I think it is reduculous. I have Indian heritage and I feel it is an honor.
It's so totally reassuring that the State Board of Education has solved all the problems in every school, like teen sex/pregnancy, drugs, gangs, and educational issues.
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Now they find themselves so bored after doing all that hard work, they have to pick a "make work" project, like telling schools what kind of mascot they should have. If they're really that bored, why not come over and mow my lawn?
Its dumb. Colleges have to follow the same rules. You tooo Seminoles (as an example). Schools indian mascot names are a sign of respect. There is no disrespect intended. What next , the Spartans? The Titans? No wait, animal names. Pretty sone they will just be know as school numbers. Political correctness has gone way over the line. If anything, ask the Indian Nation if the names can be used and in what fashion at a school. This will , also, cost schools millions of dollars they don't have.
I honestly cannot believe it is even a issue...Who thinks of things like this and what is the problem? I'm sorry but I went to that school and I will always be a Roseburg Indian...And it is embarrassing that the tribes are making such a fuss about it. My grandma was Indian and she would be ashamed of them all.
I'm waiting for someone to blame this on Liberals or Obama. First, most liberals consider this something for the schools and Native American tribes to resolve. Second, if a school chose to call themselves "The Whiteys", with a mascot of a pudgy white guy, I imagne there might be some who feel insulted or upset. Last, Obama wasn't even in office when this became an issue.Â
 @Cynthia Nordstrom Well I can see your argument if it was a fat indian but it's not..It is displayed with pride. And whitey is not a word...
Thank you so much for fighting this!!  I live in Salem and attended the meeting where I met Mr Parsons.  I spoke on behalf of the students who had graduated, hoping that it would have some impact.  There was a lot of support for us, including tribal members whom sent letters of approval for their names to be used with the schools that spoke.  I was unaware of the changes at Roseburg until I spoke with Mr Parsons before the meeting began.  I was very impressed with the work that he has done, although I miss seeing that beautiful Indian chief profile on everything.  I am hoping that there is something that can be done to keep the name for Roseburg.  I think it is wise to suggest that they make it a district decision to change the schools.  Each school has to pay to change, so they really need to decide if they can afford it.  Â