Idaho tribe asks state to ban all Indian school mascots

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are asking state lawmakers to stop Idaho public schools from using Native American mascots.

The Idaho Statesman obtained the tribes’ position paper through a public records request. The tribes submitted the paper to the Idaho State Board of Education last month asking the board, the state Legislature and Idaho Gov. Brad Little to ban the mascots, saying their use is racial misappropriation.

In the paper the tribes say that the use of mascots with names like Savages, Redskins and Braves perpetuate racism and stereotyping, and notes that the Shoshone and Bannock tribes have not been asked to be a part of something that directly impacts their members.

The paper lists several Idaho schools that the tribes say use offensive names and mascots, including the Salmon and Salmon River Savages; the Pocatello, Preston, Buhl and Shoshone Indians and the Boise Braves.