Trump Fights for Native Mascot and Columbus

The devastation to multiple areas of our country by this administration has been swift and severe. To Indian County, these cuts have been heartbreaking and infuriating.

Two areas we want to mention this week:

1) New York State Native sports mascot

2) calling for the return prominence of Columbus Day

MASCOTS

Using the same well worn, uninformed excuses that Native mascots "HONOR" Native peoples, Trump has decided to weigh in on the Massapequa High School Chiefs sports mascot.

In 2023, New York State passed a ban on using Native people and culture for sports mascots. A few towns on Long Island have been protesting the ban. It continues to come down to an issue of identity for the non-Native alumni and students at the school. They feel deprived of their "identity,"

In this article on the subject by CNN it quotes a local non-Native man: "once a Chief, always a Chief." CNA would like to point out that this man was never a Native Chief!! That is at the heart of the identity aspect of this issue. In their complaint, attorneys for the school district said, “Native American tribes and individuals cannot be the sole decision-makers on whether a school district’s use of an Indigenous name, logo or mascot is legal or not.”   Blatant White Privilege on display.

Another article in the New York Post coverage has a man in the video with a "portrait" of a Native chief, Tackapausha historically of that area. Changing the mascots won't make the portrait disappear. Put a print of Tackapausha's portrait along with the historic background, in the lobby of every school of the territory for which he was chief. Teach students about him and his tribe. There is a big difference between that, and using an image of a Plains Indian in full headdress as the school's mascot, along with behaviors, chants and costumes that have nothing to do with that culture. Don't make Tackapausha an excuse for non-Native kids being allowed to be Indian caricatures, with disrespectful game-time chants, stereotypical behaviors and artificial costumes.

Teaching the true history of the Indigenous people of these lands can create the context for why the taking of Indigenous Identity for a game, is just one more TAKING in a long painful legacy of appropriation.

APPROPRIATION IS NOT APPRECIATION!

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COLUMBUS DAY

During the Biden administration, many steps were made to address the injustices for Indian Country. Although Columbus Day was not rescinded, he did make a Proclamation for Indigenous Peoples Day, (see photo below). Columbus Day is still a federal holiday.

Trump has said he will not recognize Indigenous Peoples Day and wants to restore the prominence of Columbus Day. There are some cities that recognize Indigenous People's Day over Columbus Day, some recognize both. Trump has made it clear that he holds no regard for Indigenous peoples and that he continues to believe that they are in the way and are only good for what he can take from them.

FILE - President Joe Biden hands a pen to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland as he signs a proclamation on the North Lawn at the White House in Washington, recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day. Oct. 8, 2021. (AP)