Colorado Senate Halts Bill To Limit Native American Mascots

Westword ^ | THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 | MICHAEL ROBERTS

[nickcarraway]

In March, we told you about a bill that would have created a committee to determine if Native American mascots at schools were offensive and instituted a $25,000 per month fine against those that refused to abandon ones that failed to pass the test. See our previous coverage below.

However, the legislation will not become law.

Earlier this month, HB 15-1165, sponsored by Representative Joe Salazar, was approved by the state House by a 33-32 vote. Every Democrat save one voted in favor of the measure, while all 32 Republicans responded with nays.

This didn't bode well for the proposal's chances in the Republican-controlled Senate, and that's the way it worked out. Last night, a Senate committee rejected HB 15-1165 by a 3-2 margin that followed the party line: Two Democrats supported it, three Republicans didn't.

The outcome disappointed Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia, who chairs the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs. Along with Chairman Manuel Heart of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Chairman Clement Frost, representing the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Garcia issued a joint statement about the bill's demise. It reads:

“Last night, HB15-1165 ‘Schools’ Use of American Indian Mascots’ bill failed in the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee on a party line vote. We would like to thank Representatives Salazar and Melton and Senator Ulibarri for bringing this legislation forward and, by doing so, providing a forum for an important conversation about the manner in which images and symbols are viewed depending on one’s individual historical and cultural perspective. "For centuries, American Indian peoples have called Colorado home. From Cortez to Sterling and Trinidad to Craig, numerous tribal nations hunted, gathered, and lived in areas from which, over time, most were removed and forced onto reservations, stripped of their land, language and culture, and, too often, even their lives. "HB 1165 sparked an important conversation in the Legislature about the use of outdated names and offensive caricatures of American Indian people in many of Colorado's schools. While issues like local control and financial constraints prevailed, it is our hope that this discussion has encouraged communities to have an open and honest dialogue about this issue. Institutions which strive to teach respect and dignity to our next generation should recognize that displays of American Indian warpaint, headdresses and tomahawk chants may be offensive to tribal nations and Native people. Intentionally or not, they often degrade the proud and ongoing legacy of American Indians in Colorado and everywhere throughout the nation. "Last December, when Governor Hickenlooper apologized to the descendants of the tribes that suffered the atrocity of the Sand Creek Massacre, and a month later, when he gave his State of the State, he said healing begins with an apology. It also takes dialogue and a recognition that we view certain symbols, images and words through our respective historical and cultural perspectives. As we move forward, it is our hope that the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs will be utilized as a resource to help facilitate that dialogue by connecting schools and communities with Tribes that once called these places home, and may do so still today." As we noted below, a similar attempt to eliminate offensive Native American school mascots came up short five years ago. The closeness of the 2015 vote suggests the legislation is likely to be introduced again down the line — although its odds of success are likely dependent on whether Democrats are in charge in the senate, the house and the governor's mansion.

Continue for our previous coverage.

Original post, 10:48 a.m. March 24: If Colorado schools want to retain offensive Native American mascots, it could cost them $25,000 per month under a new bill passed last night by the Colorado House of Representatives' education committee.

[Alex Murphy]

In March, we told you about a bill that would have created a committee to determine if Native American mascots at schools were offensive and instituted a $25,000 per month fine against those that refused to abandon ones that failed to pass the test. See our previous coverage below. However, the legislation will not become law. Earlier this month, HB 15-1165, sponsored by Representative Joe Salazar, was approved by the state House by a 33-32 vote. Every Democrat save one voted in favor of the measure, while all 32 Republicans responded with nays.

When are Catholic nuns going to rise up and force Pittsburgh's pro ice hockey team to choose a new name?

[I want the USA back]

This happens because they believe that all the icons and cultural norms of this country are racist.

[Sooth2222]

According to 23andMe I can now prove that I am part Native American. (Like Elizabeth Warren, I have the common Native American traits of blond hair and blue eyes. But, unfortunately, not the tenured Harvard professorship.) Anyway, nobody asked me about Native American mascots. I think it celebrates the history of this great nation, and that it’s a wonderful thing to do so.