Governor Weighs In On Banning Native American Mascots. Or Does She?

I don't have time to do a proper blog post about last night's board meeting in Skowhegan. So I'm going to paste in my live comments from last night, plus a few from others who attended. I'll finish with an email I received from Governor Janet Mills expressing support for banning Native mascots in school sport, but falling far short of saying she intends to sign LD 944 if it makes it to her desk.


(My posts to Skowhegan Indigenous Peoples Day group on Facebook in real time 4/4/19)

We are here at the Skowhegan school board meeting. They have gone into executive session to consult their lawyers (again, we're guessing this time about the request to hold a referendum to overturn the March 7 mascot retirement). Chair Dixie Ring read us the riot act first thing, stressing decorum. Lots of SIP here in their Outlaw gear. One tepid performance of the Skowhegan fight song thus far. Local press is here plus three uniformed police officers.

Oops make that 4 officers, one in each corner.

100 people we estimate.

Dixie allowing 6-7 speakers. First one claiming her 6 year old said mascot was retired by people "who don't like Indians."

Next speaker talking about "we get our rights from our Creator" and then immediately cites 1st amendment. I could be wrong but I think he's wearing a Dale Earnhardt hat.

Now a young woman is making an inclusion argument to say if someone is offended that is their personal problem "and they should work on that." She is confused and confusing. Now she says "we are hurt and disappointed."

Girl in full cheerleader regalia Liz Turner middle school student speaking now. She starts by sharing that she is from away. Also very confusing. She has on quite an outfit and people near us are hissing angrily at Mark taking her photo as she addresses the board. "She's a child, you need her parents' permission to take her picture." Hmmm wonder if the journalists got that?

Now another student pointing out "if you notice a lot of people here are wearing Indians."

SIP is done. Board has not yet taken up referendum nor did any speaker mention it.

Lynda Quinn just said referendum would be futile and a big waste of $ because non-binding and LD944.

Now lawyer is talking. Legislature gives school boards right and duty to make all decisions regarding schools. Public speaks via elections.

Jenn Poirier wants the non-binding vote. So she and Lynda Quinn, who both voted to keep the mascot, have split on this issue.

Todd Smith wants to know what the cost will be. Notes "the state issue could go one way or another and no doubt it will."

Harold Bigelow says vote to retire was influenced by outside elements. Gets applause from crowd, admonished by chair.

Both Bigelow and Jean Franklin have alluded to budget not being approved by voters.

Dixie: has to be a 2/3 vote to add an agenda item. (Later note: This was in reference to Bigelow and Todd Smith wanting to hold a vote on whether to hold a referendum, without prior notice to board members who were absent last night.)

Amy Rouse asking where were the people in the audience tonight when we had the public forum in January?

Poirier says her constituents just expect her to know what they're thinking without sitting through a 3 hour meeting.

Peggy Lovejoy: most of the calls I got before the vote were in favor of change. Since the vote most have been against the change.

Nancy Blaisdell Baxter Board caved and agreed to put the Referendum question on the April 25th agenda. Colbry said at end of session to friends in audience that "this was a $3000. meeting".

To: Lisa Savage

April 4, 2019

Subject: Message from Governor Mills

Thank you for contacting me about legislation to ban Native American mascots in public schools. I appreciate your views on this issue.

Maine has a long history of strained tribal relations. I am committed to improving communication and trust between the four Tribes, the state, and local governments so that together, we can improve the lives, opportunities, and wellbeing of all our people. As Governor-elect, I sent a letter to the Skowhegan School Board urging them to end the use of “Indians” as their mascot, and was pleased by the March 7th vote to do so.

I believe that offensive names for teams, schools, and mascots have no place in our society. According to the American Psychological Association, the use of Native American mascots has harmful effects on Native American youth and perpetuates the marginalization of Native people. That is why the Maine Department of Education asked schools statewide to avoid the use of hurtful mascots and to develop policies and procedures in that vein. As Governor, I will work with everyone to respect and maintain the cultural identity and the right of self-governance of Native Americans in this state.

It is time to heal the divisions of our past and bring the State and Maine’s tribal communities together to build a future shaped by mutual trust and respect. Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your concerns.

Janet T. Mills
Governor

Native American Mascots: Local Control Or Civil Rights Issue? You Be The Judge

The group in Skowhegan still clinging to their now retired mascot/team name has had a rough week, so at least one of them has reached out to people from away for advice. The screenshot above is acknowledgement that the struggle has now moved from the local school board -- which voted March 7 for retirement -- to the Maine legislature.

LD 944, An Act to Ban Native American Mascots in Maine Public Schools, advanced yesterday from the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs to the House of Representatives.

It was amended to explicitly include public universities before the 8-5 vote along party lines to advance the bill with an Ought to pass designation. Rep. Michael Brennan (D-Portland) offered the amendment and also his view that banning Native school mascots is a civil rights issue that supersedes local control.

Penboscot Tribal Ambassador Maulian Dana was on hand for the committee's work session and reported:

Skowhegan Indian Pride was chastised quite publicly and explicitly for their behavior and lack of civility....SIP members were criticized for their behavior at the public hearing not the work session. They were very quiet today.

Some of the lack of civility referenced was reported by a speaker on deck who witnessed the harassment of an MSAD 54 school board director who was at the podium. A SIP supporter passed directly behind him and hissed an obscenity concerning his own mom in a stage whisper.

Barry Dana and daughter Maulian spoke respectfully on the occasions when they addressed the legislature or the MSAD 54 school board about the mascot issue. Barry has written of Wabanaki people, "Being fierce warriors didn't work out so well for us...we've been trying to be diplomats for 500 years."

And then there was the SIPster who identified herself as a tutor at Skowhegan Area Middle School (staff there told me she is not actually an employee but does sometimes work as a substitute). As reported by Maine Public Broadcasting's coverage of the public hearing:

Gloria Gordon of Skowhegan went a step further. A middle school tutor who is white, Gordon said the bill is another example of how Native Americans and other minorities are being given “special treatment.” 

“We’ve been discriminated against just like they have. We’re becoming a minority. Other minority groups that have been considered minorities are getting special treatment right now, not only the Native Americans but the Mexicans."

Meanwhile, back in Skowhegan, SIP disrupted a March 21 meeting in what one person who was present described as "at times, abusive" behavior toward the MSAD 54 school board. You can watch video of the meeting here and judge for yourself.



A SIP group has been showing up during the time we hold a weekly peaceful demonstration against wars and kleptocratic government on the bridge in Skowhegan. Last Sunday they behaved like they were at a school board meeting. This reportedly ruffled feathers in the congregation of the Federated Church on the island by disturbing their church service with prolonged noise.

So it goes. I could share comments on my blog, or other screenshots containing threats of violence (for example, against a woman who has been working with the local Wal-mart to remove merchandise with the now retired mascot). But I think I'll conclude with this one:

Stay classy, SIP. That strategy seem to be working.