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National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media Will Hold Two Panel Discussions at ISU today and a meeting with Salmon, ID, community tomorrow, Tuesday November 16th.

Pocatello, ID - The National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media (NCRSM) will hold two panel discussions at Idaho State University today Monday, Nov. 15, and one at Salmon High School on Tuesday, Nov. 16. The public meetings follow an NCRSM petition and subsequent Salmon School Board decision to discontinue the use of Native American imagery in its schools mascots.

           Participants in the events include NCRSM officers Clyde Bellecourt, National Board of Directors; Michael Haney, National Executive Director, Cyd Crue, Illinois Chapter Vice-President; Dr. LaNada Boyer, Idaho Chapter president; and Sheryl Slim, member of NCRSM, the Shoshone Bannock Tribes, and Shoshoni Club.

           Participants will also include Rosanne Abrahamson, Teacher at Shoshone Bannock Jr/Sr High School and former Salmon High School mascot, and Donny Pine, president of Native Students United and former sports team member of the Pocatello High School Indians.

           The NCRSM will hold a panel on racism from 1:10 to 3:30 p.m. in the Salmon River Suite of the Pond Student Union Building. A forum on racism in sports and the media will start with a 6 p.m. reception in the PSUB Little Wood River Room, continuing with a 7 p.m. presentation in the Wood River Room. Oka-Wicasa (artist/performer) Deynon Means will start the evening presentations with selected songs.

           The group will make a similar presentation in the Salmon High School Gymnasium Tuesday, Nov. 16, starting at 7 p.m. Boyer said that the NCRSM views these presentations as an opportunity to interact with the community and increase understanding on the repercussions of using native culture and imagery for sports mascots.

           NCRSM leaders invite the Idaho community to come and join in the spirit of dialogue to work toward a new century of increased racial harmony with Native peoples.