Rebecca.Millett@legislature.maine.gov,
Brownie.Carson@legislature.maine.gov,
Matthew.Pouliot@legislature.maine.gov,
Victoria.Kornfield@legislature.maine.gov,
Michael.Brennan@legislature.maine.gov,
Janice.Dodge@legislature.maine.gov,
Gary.Drinkwater@legislature.maine.gov,
Richard.Farnsworth@legislature.maine.gov,
Justin.Fecteau@legislature.maine.gov,
Henry.Ingwersen@legislature.maine.gov,
David.McCrea@legislature.maine.gov,
Shelley.Rudnicki@legislature.maine.gov,
Heidi.Sampson@legislature.maine.gov
cc:
EDU@legislature.maine.gov,
Rachel.Tremblay@legislature.maine.gov,
Karen.Nadeau@legislature.maine.gov,
Hillary.Risler@legislature.maine.gov
March 14, 2019
Dear Senator Rebecca Millett, Representative Victoria Kornfield and the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.
My name is Lisa Savage and I live in Solon. I am writing in support of LD 944, An Act To Ban Native American Mascots in All Public Schools.
The American Psychological Association called in 2005 for schools to stop using native mascots. Their study showed harm to both Native and non-Native students who are exposed to stereotyping and other misuses of their culture. The Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, Houlton Band of Maliseets and the Micmacs -- Maine's four federally recognized, sovereign entities -- have all sent representatives to Skowhegan multiple times to ask that the "Indian" mascot there be retired. Other groups opposing the use of Native mascots include the National Education Association (2018, the American Sociological Association (
The school district where I am a reading interventionist competes with MSAD 54 in sports from time to time. My school's student athletes of Native ancestry must enter a hostile environment to play in the high school gym or on the fields. Native athletes and spectators report feeling demeaned and belittled by seeing "Indian" used as a mascot or nick name.
Since the MSAD 54 school board voted to retire their mascot on March 7, several members of the board and other townspeople are refusing to accept the change. They are circulating a petition to force the school board to rescind their decision. Skowhegan "Indian Pride" members have also threatened and insulted members of the Penobscot Nation who were vocal in calling for the change. Threats of rape, and mentions of the young daughters of Penobscot Ambassador Maulian Dana, have been recorded on social media.
Passing this legislation would be an important bulwark against any schools in Maine turning back the clock and reinstating Native mascots. LD 944, if passed and signed into law, would allow the superintendent to advise the board that any such change back would be illegal.
Maine is said to be the first state in the nation to be 100% free of Native mascots used by high school teams. Our state motto, Dirigo, is fitting, and LD 944 is an important way to solidify Maine's leadership on this educational issue.
Thank you for your consideration.
Lisa Savage,
Solon
