Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

LARGO, FL - The American Indian Movement of Florida congratulates the Pinellas County School District on seizing the initiative.

On June 13, 2000, Florida AIM State Executive Director Sheridan Murphy, North Regional Director David Narcomey, and State Information Director Mark Madrid attended the Pinellas County School Board meeting. Sheridan Murphy and David Narcomey made presentations to the Pinellas County School Board in direct relation to the November 1999 incident in which, now former, Tyrone Elementary School teacher Marcia Jacobs taught her students the word "squaw" is an appropriate reference to American Indian women. Mr. Narcomey included a packet of information for board members in his presentation. The board agreed to revisit and modify its curriculum and prevent any further usage of the word "squaw".

To the pleasant surprise of Florida AIM, the board on its own initiative then took up the question of banning sports mascots, making the link between the use of the word "squaw" and the use of American Indian peoples as a sports team mascot for America's fun and games.

Board members specifically pointed out Seminole Osceola High School "Warhawks", noting that having a hawk with a headdress was no different than "having a hawk with a yamulke". The board directed the Pinellas County School Superintendent to "investigate the process" that Los Angeles, Dallas, Milwaukee and other locations have used to divest itself of sports mascots.

The Pinellas County School Board is to be informed of the superintendent's findings through a future workshop, at which the methodology to get rid of sports mascots is to be discussed.