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Tribal member urges Dowagiac board to retain 'Chieftain' mascot
Summary
During public comment, Judy Winchester, a Potawatomi tribal member, said tribal leaders had approved the Chieftain logo and urged the board not to retire the mascot, calling the imagery important to community identity.
During the hearing of citizens, Judy Winchester identified herself as a Potawatomi tribal member and urged the Dowagiac Union School District board to retain the district's "Chieftain" mascot and logo.
Winchester said the tribal council had previously voted to adopt the Chieftain logo drawn by a tribal artist and that the tribe had issued a press release on Jan. 23 reaffirming its position on retiring or preserving Native American imagery. "The tribe sent put a press release out Jan. 23rd ... they were reaffirming for the retention of Native American mascots," Winchester said, recounting the council's earlier work with district leaders.
She said the symbol and the logo were created with tribal input and that members of her family and community feel a strong connection to the imagery. Winchester acknowledged that others have called for change but said, "no matter what color, creed, race you are, your identity starts at home," and emphasized educating the community about the matter.
The board did not take action on the comment during the public-comment period; Winchester said she had expected the item to be on the agenda and apologized if she had misunderstood. The board proceeded to business items after public comment.
