MARYSVILLE, CALIF. \u2014 A Northern California high school is trying to preserve its longtime “Indians” mascot under a new California law \u2014 a debate that may sound familiar to many Southeast Texans who over the years have fought against outside efforts to change the PN-G Indians mascot.<\/p>\n
Marysville High School officially stopped using its “Indians” mascot July 1 to comply with California Assembly Bill 3074, which prohibits K-12 public schools from using certain Native American terms as school mascots or athletic team names unless they receive written permission from a federally recognized tribe.<\/p>\n
In a June 30 statement, the Marysville Joint Unified School District said the mascot had been part of the school’s identity for nearly 100 years but would no longer be used in an official capacity “to comply with Assembly Bill 3074.”<\/p>\n
The district’s Board of Trustees said it “recognizes the deep history and tradition associated with the Indians mascot and acknowledges the strong connection many alumni, students, staff, and community members have to it.”<\/p>\n
Under the law, schools may continue using a Native American-related mascot if they obtain written consent from a local federally recognized tribe. District officials said they met with local tribal representatives in an effort to retain the mascot but “were unable to obtain the required written consent.”<\/p>\n
According to the district, tribal representatives “chose to remain neutral regarding the district’s request, neither supporting nor opposing the continued use of the mascot.”<\/p>\n
Despite that setback, Superintendent Jordan Reeves said the district will continue trying to preserve the school’s historic identity.<\/p>\n
“Marysville Joint Unified School District will continue pursuing opportunities to obtain written permission from a local, federally recognized tribe that would allow Marysville High School to retain its historic mascot under the provisions of state law,” Reeves said.<\/p>\n
He added, “Marysville High School remains committed to honoring its proud traditions while continuing to serve students and uphold the long-standing values and expectations of the Marysville community.”<\/p>\n
The issue may resonate in Southeast Texas. The PN-G Indians have carried that nickname for about a century after Port Neches High School adopted it in 1925. According to district history, the name was chosen because the Port Neches area was once home to Native American tribes that lived along the Neches River.<\/p>\n
The mascot has also drawn criticism locally. In 2020, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. asked PN-G ISD to retire the “Indians” mascot and related traditions, saying the imagery perpetuated harmful stereotypes. <\/p>\n