Jan 19, 2005 By Josh Krysak 2 min read

With a placard displaying an Indian in full headdress and the words “Raider Pride” behind them, the Uniontown Area School Board heard from a concerned district teacher that the longtime school mascot is offensive to native Americans and should be removed. Beverly DeMotte, who has taught art at the high school for 29 years, said for the last 28 years she has gone along with everyone else in the school district, never questioning the school’s mascot.

Then the Uniontown woman began to talk to some American Indian friends about the symbol of the district and began to see a different picture.

DeMotte told the directors Tuesday that while she doesn’t blame anyone on the board or in the district for the images and symbolism used to represent the district’s sport teams, she does think the time has come for change.

“Generally, we never question the negativity that tradition can have,” DeMotte said. “It is really a mockery of the Native American religion.”

According to DeMotte, the United States Commission on Civil Rights released a statement regarding the use of Native American names and nicknames as sports symbols, denouncing the action, and calling for all schools to end the use of Native American names.

DeMotte’s comments come a few years after battles were waged on the national scene regarding professional sport teams, including the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Indians.

“I do not think this was done intentionally, but imagine that our comfort is their pain,” DeMotte said. “I think with the renovations planned soon, this would be a great opportunity for change and what an opportunity for a civil rights lesson.”

The district’s mascot features an Indian with his arms folded over his chest, holding a spear.

Board President Harry “Dutch” Kaufman said the board would review a letter submitted from DeMotte regarding the school’s mascot as well as the recommendation from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, but refused further comment.

The board also conducted the following business:

– Accepted the resignation of assistant football coach George Stevenson.

– Approved splitting the current co-ed junior high school soccer team into a girl’s team and a boy’s team due to heavy interest.

– Entered into an hour-long executive session regarding litigation stemming form the Wharton School renovation project.