Native American activist group speaks out against use of Iowa school’s ‘dehumanizing’ mascot

INDIANOLA, Iowa (WHO) — A Native American activist group is voicing concern after the Indianola School Board decided not to vote on changing their school mascot.

The Great Plains Action Society is a nonprofit based in Iowa that works to amplify the voice of Native Americans on a number of issues. The Indianola mascot debate is just one that they are involved in.

Last week, school officials and community members gathered inside Indianola High School for a school board meeting where the mascot was a topic of conversation. The board decided not to vote on a measure and ended further discussions on changing the mascot name and school logo.

Jessica Engelking, the representation director for the Great Plains Action Society, said that while she appreciates the school board for allowing a debate to take place, she is disappointed with the outcome because it’s dangerous for Native youth.

She said these mascots and imagery are linked to low self-esteem among Native youth, and that suicide is already a crisis for this demographic.

“The use of mascots is dehumanizing, and that dehumanization affects the way people see Natives. They lumped us into the same category as lions and bears,” said Engelking.

The Great Plains Action Society plans to continue to start conversations surrounding this topic to encourage the school board to reconsider its decision. The nonprofit is focusing its efforts on voting, specifically encouraging Natives to head to the polls when the time comes, especially during smaller elections like school board elections.

Engelking said they also encourage people to avoid using the mascot name despite the school’s decision. They’re encouraging people to say things like the “Indianola Team” or the “Indianola School” instead of the “Indianola Indians.” She hopes that statements like that would encourage the school board to change it.

According to the Great Plains Action Society, Indianola is just one of 27 school districts across Iowa that use Native imagery or names in their mascots or logos.

One Indianola resident says he believes the mascot is a sign of respect.

“If you look at the state of Iowa, you’ve got many rivers, many other towns, many things that are named after Native Americans. I think if we take all these names away, will we lose the fact that Native Americans even existed? That’s my concern,” said Indianola resident Byron Jennings.

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