NY Education Officials Ban Indigenous Team Names and Mascots in Public Schools
New York state education officials have unanimously voted to ban public schools from using Indigenous team names, logos, or mascots. The use of all Indigenous imagery must be eliminated by the end of the current school year, and the prohibited names, logos, or mascots must be eliminated by the 2024-25 school year. The changes will become effective as a permanent rule on May 3, and non-compliant school officers could be removed or state aid could be withheld. The National Congress of American Indians supports the changes, stating that Native-themed mascots dehumanize Native people and diminish the diversity of their cultures.