Spfld Students Move to Stop Tomahawk Chop

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By Matthew Campbell

Story Published: Apr 14, 2009 at 11:24 PM EDT

Story Updated: Apr 16, 2009 at 4:51 AM EDT

After taking a social studies class to heart, a group of Springfield Renaissance 8th graders are urging schools to drop their Native American nicknames.

It's a symbol of victory. Several banners hang from the walls of the Turners Fall High School gymnasium, showcasing championships from years past.

For as long as alumnus can remember, they've been the Indians of Turners Falls High. But some are saying that name is a symbol of hate.

"Does anyone honestly think that lowering America's indigenous people to the level of a mascot, respects and doesn't discriminate against America's culture and race," asks one Springfield student.

One by one, Marissa Vanasse's 8th grade social studies class made their case for all teams, high school to pro, to drop their Native American nicknames.

"It hurt to understand that people could be so stereotypical and unjust and not understand it, so I wanted to help send the message out," says Maya McCann.

"Just picturing my ethnicity group to be a mascot, most Latinos won't like that," Leslie Perez says.

But this 8th grade class wasn't from Turners Falls, not even from Franklin County.

Instead, they were from Springfield's Renaissance School. They picked up on the Turners tomahawk chop controversy, which is a common game day sight that's been suspended by the school.

The chop's future is in the hands of the school committee. Now that other students are on board, they're hoping it might sway their Turners Falls students.

"When students are talking to students, it gets across to the students in a different way from adults talking to students," says Kenneth Rocke, superintendent of Turners Falls High School.

42 schools in the state have Native American nicknames, and in the coming days, all will hear from the Renaissance group.

At Turners Falls, school committee members tell us the decision on the tomahawk chop is expected to be made before May 11.

As for the school's nickname, that hasn't been taken up yet, but they do tell us, the Renaissance presentation, got them thinking.

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another student said on Monday, Jan 25 at 1:04 PM

Dear Queen Mary J, seriously stop wiht the degrading comments, all our school is trying to do is stick up for what is right. Yes our school has a phoenix for a mascot but it mean's rebirth. We are trying to rebirth learning into our school in various ways. That's all it has nothing to do with religion we acept all people.

Student said on Monday, Jan 25 at 12:58 PM

I think the mascot comittee is somewhat uneeded and pointless,we obviously cant change anything and its a waste of time. But thats just my opinion, I still think it's a good thing that were trying to actually make a difference, what other school's have the courage to do what we did.

Anonymous said on Wednesday, Jul 29 at 3:53 PM

how about instead of making a mascot you make a memorial or something??

TFHS student... again said on Thursday, Jun 18 at 12:39 PM

Do you even know why we are called the Indians? we are called the Indians to remember all the Indians killed by captain William Turner, and to remember that significant day in history. How is that racist?

another TFHS student said on Thursday, Jun 18 at 12:33 PM

I honestly don't know WHO you think you kids are, but you are obviously very ignorant and hypocritical. The Tomahawk chop is not in any way wrong, and when we found out it was getting banned our whole school got upset. We ARE the TF Indians and we're very proud to be named the TF Indians. The Tomahawk Chop and our school's name is who we are, and we take pride in that. Our school is VERY prideful about it, and we love our mascot very much. The phoenix is religious, let's address that next?

TFHS student said on Thursday, Jun 18 at 12:05 PM

i say its okay to be named the Indians as long as long as native Americans don't have a problem with it, and don't complain, i think its stupid that kids from other schools are deciding what to name our mascot. How would you feel if WE stopped your traditions, and went against YOUR mascot?

Emily Conlogue The Springfield Renaissance School Anti Native American Mascot Committee said on Sunday, Apr 26 at 7:33 PM

Can we please stop distracting from the point! There is no losing or winning, there's just right or wrong. The truth is that no matter what's been said about "honor," racism, "savagery," or races and ethnicities, Native American Mascots are wrong.

B Dawg said on Sunday, Apr 26 at 7:30 PM

Everyone who picks on Native Americans through the use of mascots probably does it because they feel insecure about themselves. Psychologically, that is why bullying happens, and this is no different.

QueenMaryJ said on Thursday, Apr 23 at 1:37 AM

Oooh a personal attack. I must be winning this argument!

wow said on Wednesday, Apr 22 at 5:54 PM

Dear Queen Mary, please do us all a favor and stop with the ridiculous correction posts. It is quite obnoxious, although your ignorance is amusing.

QueenMaryJ said on Wednesday, Apr 22 at 10:13 AM

SC student, I'm sure the Native North Americans would appreciate knowing you think white people dominate them. By the way, have you seen the statue of Chief Metawampe at The University of Massachusetts? Tell me if you think that ridicules anyone. By the way, it should be "whose".

sc student said on Wednesday, Apr 22 at 2:28 AM

As the dominant group, it is our job to stand up for those whos voices are silenced. I am a college student who was lucky enough to hear their presentation. Beforehand, I didn't care at all. And now I get it. Before you try to put them down, do your research. Listen to what they are saying. I challenge anyone who knows all the facts to actually disagree with them. Native American mascots are not honoring Native Americans. They are turning religious and cultural traditions into a joke.

QueenMaryJ said on Tuesday, Apr 21 at 11:04 PM

The Renaissance School's mascot is the phoenix, which was a religious symbol of the ancient Egyptians. What ever happened to separation of church and state?

Ryan, SRS said on Tuesday, Apr 21 at 11:28 AM

The thing about it is that when Native Americans are used as mascotts its not good things that are being said. I mean who wants to be known as a group of bloodthirsty killers? Would it be ok if there was a team named the White Rapists?

as usual said on Tuesday, Apr 21 at 10:50 AM

The politically correct police are trying to stifle our voices. It's like the ACLU, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton sticking their noses into places that don't concern them. It's getting bad enough that everyone will be afraid to say anything for fear they'll be labeled. Just look at the whole Perez Hilton thing that happened. Now the woman is being labeled as anti-gay. Everyone is always looking to get into some one else's business. What part of live and let live don't you understand?

QueenMaryJ said on Monday, Apr 20 at 10:31 PM

Would the members of the Busy Body Brigade like it if students from Turner's Falls came and started dictating what they should and shouldn't do?

Jesse Lederman, The Springfield Renaissance Schools Anti-Native American Mascot Committee said on Monday, Apr 20 at 10:31 PM

Also I would like to point out that the committee was invited by the school board to present our findings and our original goal is actually targeted at a Springfield public school.

QueenMaryJ said on Monday, Apr 20 at 1:49 PM

By the way, "alumnus" is singular, "alumni is plural". Know your Latin.

QueenMaryJ said on Monday, Apr 20 at 1:31 PM

I suppose the 0.32 percent of Springfield's population who are Native Americans are all well represented in this class. Apparently there are so few issues in Springfield that they had to travel 40 miles to Greenfield in order to interfere with that town's business. Perhaps their next lesson should be on free speech, even if it's not popular speech. Did they have any suggestions on how to enforce this rule and how to finance any ensuing lawsuits that may arise. This reeks of noblesse oblige

maya said on Monday, Apr 20 at 9:02 AM

As a group of non-Indian students, we are Allies. We are standing up as members of the oppressing group bringing the voices of those who are silenced by society to light. While we may be white allies representing a group that we do not identify as, I find it interesting that it is the white members of a community that are the most angered by our work. Though others may be opposed to the removal of a so called honorable mascot I have not heard American Indians adamantly opposed to the changes.

maya said on Monday, Apr 20 at 9:00 AM

Grouping a race of people into a single stereotypical image is just wrong! Not sure why whites are always so upset about this issue?

maya said on Monday, Apr 20 at 8:59 AM

The posts on this forum really illustrate why these conversations are difficult to have. We all suffer from the ignorance of our society and a monocultural curriculum taught in school; mostly by white, middle class women. What many of us believe to be honorable is in fact harmful because it is the only way we have learned to view American Indians. We know and learn many stereotypes of American Indians and learn minimal accurate historical information.

Mary said on Monday, Apr 20 at 8:46 AM

I live in springfield and it is a great place.There are just as many problems here as in any other school.many people on this blog are assuming that if we made mascots for other races they would be honored.Well,one or 2 voices dont sum it up for all of that race and I am cirtain that many of the races other than native american will be offended if we made their race a mascot.i am so proud of the Springfied kids who are standing up for other people.they are taking a sand for what they beleive in.

Me said on Sunday, Apr 19 at 5:10 PM

Don't kids have better things to worry about anymore? I guess I'd be offended too if someone was playing a sport for pride and representing my people... oh wait, no I wouldn't. Soon everything you ever do will be racist somehow, thanks liberals

Anonymous said on Saturday, Apr 18 at 6:50 PM

excuse me for my typo, after the quote, i wrote "do you even springfield" rather than "do you even know springfield?" people in springfield are just as kind, and intelligent as anyone else can be.

Emily COnlogue, The Springfield Renaissance School Anti-Native American Mascot Committtee said on Saturday, Apr 18 at 6:47 PM

"why don't you kids in Springfield learn how to flip burgers. That city is a waste of space and should be destroyed. Everyone in high school there has kids, no job and a drug problem. Worry about what you are going to do in life for a job because if someone wants to start talking about problems we could easily look to Springfield." do you even springfield? or are you just trying to distractt from the real issue here? What you're doing is stereotyping!!. antinativemascot@yahoo.com

Jesse Lederman, The Springfield Renaissance School's Anti-Native American Mascot Committee said on Saturday, Apr 18 at 6:45 PM

"why don't you kids in Springfield learn how to flip burgers. That city is a waste of space and should be destroyed. Everyone in high school there has kids, no job and a drug problem. Worry about what you are going to do in life for a job because if someone wants to start talking about problems we could easily look to Springfield. Maybe we can change a Springfield schools mascot to the unwed unemployed teen-aged (pre-teen for middle school) crack head mothers" Your comments expose your ignorance

A Springfield Mom said on Saturday, Apr 18 at 6:50 AM

A truly great effort from a bunch of caring young adults. These teens worked on this project on their own time, meeting after school and on weekends. I hope they all know how proud we are of our Springfield teens!!

springfieldsucks said on Friday, Apr 17 at 4:48 PM

why don't you kids in Springfield learn how to flip burgers. That city is a waste of space and should be destroyed. Everyone in high school there has kids, no job and a drug problem. Worry about what you are going to do in life for a job because if someone wants to start talking about problems we could easily look to Springfield. Maybe we can change a Springfield schools mascot to the unwed unemployed teen-aged (pre-teen for middle school) crack head mothers

anonymous said on Friday, Apr 17 at 2:06 PM

Are any of the people on the committee Indian? Was there someone that was of this race that said it was demeaning and requested a commitee to speak for them? Or is the committe turning an honor or tribute into something negative on its own? I am for the fighting whites and the brave blacks. I think those would be good names too. Why don't you have a national movement for being respectful.

Marshall McLuhan said on Friday, Apr 17 at 9:41 AM

Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity.

john said on Friday, Apr 17 at 1:21 AM

the chop as been around form many - many years so what,it is not done out of disrespect, but out of pride, what there saying is chop them down,i hope these KIDS grow up and do something meaningful in life and not worry about a non issuse

Jeff Ryan - Prescott Wisconsin said on Thursday, Apr 16 at 8:14 PM

Well Done Students. We have a large contingent of students at Prescott High School in Prescott, Wisconsin that applaud your efforts. Check out my class blog at www.nativeamericasince1790.blogspot.com/ You might find some things that look and sound pretty familiar. Again congratulations. Keep up the good fight! Best Regards, Jeff Ryan - Prescott High School Teacher and the students from Prescott High School.

Barbara E. Munson said on Thursday, Apr 16 at 4:40 PM

Please visit our website indianmascots.com and read Common Themes, the Fryberg research abstract and the APA resolution and justification. It is important to know that research establishes harm

Brendon Holland, The Springfield Renaissance School Anti Native American Mascot Committee said on Thursday, Apr 16 at 9:59 AM

If anyone would like to know more about us or contact us, email us at antinativemascot@yahoo.com or go to www.antinativemascots.webs.com We would love to have more supporters and we would also love to educate more people on this growing national movement.

Anonymous said on Thursday, Apr 16 at 8:23 AM

in some way. You don't name a team after something or someone you don't like, it's done out of respect!!! I don't know why they don't have the fighting whites but if they did I would be honored. My wife who is Latina also agrees, she said that there are teams named after different latin people, and she has no problem with that. In fact she considers it an honor as well. In fact if the Turners Falls team wants to change thier name, they can name it after me or my wife and we would be honored!!!!

Donald Sacco said on Thursday, Apr 16 at 8:17 AM

I think the biggest thing that most of these anti native american mascot committee people are seeing is that, like they say people are people. If something is offensive and demeaning to an race than it's offensive and demeaning to a ethnic group or any other group of people. We are all humans and sons and daughters of God, offensive is offensive no matter who you are period. People name a team after a group because that group has a trait or characteristic that the team likes and wants to emulate

MMV said on Thursday, Apr 16 at 6:27 AM

Again, not races, ethnic groups. As Brendon said: Also, members of the ETHNIC groups almost always select those mascots. I think it would be safe to say that American Indians have not been involved in deciding mascot/team names.

james said on Wednesday, Apr 15 at 9:08 PM

fighting Irish? Celtics, Patriots, 49ers, all named after people or groups of people, it is a sign of respect

MMV said on Wednesday, Apr 15 at 6:53 PM

I would just like to point out that we do not have any "Fighting Whites" or "Brave Blacks", if it is so honorable, why not?

Ann-Marie said on Wednesday, Apr 15 at 6:26 PM

I also believe naming a team after a group is an honor!!!! Find something else to complain about. Like why aren't people any nicer to each other? We have all kinds of politically correct language....it certainly doesn't make anyone act any nicer!

Emily Conlogue, The Springfield Renaissance School Anti-Native American Mascot Committee said on Wednesday, Apr 15 at 5:54 PM

Well spoken, Brendon and Jesse!

Brendon Holland said on Wednesday, Apr 15 at 5:32 PM

I am sorry, but I accidentally left out a sentence that is vital to the below comment making sense. I had the following sentence right before the last one, but somehow it got cut off: True, their are some other mascots, but they are based on ETHNIC and not RACIAL groups, which makes them less offensive.

Brendon Holland said on Wednesday, Apr 15 at 5:28 PM

I am one of the committee members, and I would like to say that I agree with Jesse on the fact that RACES and ETHNIC GROUPS are two completely different things. RACES are White, Black, Native American, etc., while things such as Italian, Irish, or Mohawk are Ethnic groups. Also, Patriots are neither a RACIAL or ETHNIC group; they are just a group of people who declared independence from England. Also, members of the ETHNIC groups almost always select those mascots.

Jesse Lederman, The Springfield Renaissance School Anti Native American Mascot Committee said on Wednesday, Apr 15 at 4:02 PM

Names such as texans, minutemen, Canadians, etc... are ETHNIC names not RACIAL names. Native American is a RACE. If you have any more questions on the proposal feel free to contact us at antinativemascot@yahoo.com

Donald Sacco said on Wednesday, Apr 15 at 10:24 AM

Naming a team after a group is in no way racist, or demeaning. Why is it only with Native American names that people say that. What about all the teams that have non-Native American names, nobody ever says anything about them. For example: The Patriots, Celtics, Cowboys, Steelers, Canadians, Texans, Minutemen, etc... The reason nobody says anything about these names is because they aren't racist, and those people represented don't care. If anything naming a team after a group is a tribute!!!

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