Kansas Board recommends ending Native American mascots

The Kansas State Board of Education, on Thursday, recommended that the state’s public school districts eliminate Native American mascots and branding to reduce their harmful impacts on students.

The Board approved a motion making a “strong recommendation” that Kansas public K-12 nontribal schools retire Native American-themed mascots and branding as soon as possible but within the next three to five years at the latest.

Supporters stressed the Board’s action was only a recommendation and the final decision on mascots was left to local school boards, adding the decision would not impact districts’ accreditation. They said the vote fits with the Board’s policies on discouraging bullying and encouraging equity, inclusion and justice for all students.

The intent of the motion, supporters said, was to prompt discussions about the racist aspects of the mascots and their negative impact on Native American students.