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MAY 7, 2001

Former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Ross Swimmer and current chief Chad Smith are calling on schools to change their Indian-themed mascots because of their offensiveness.

Swimmer says names like "redskin" are offensive to due its historical meaning. Once people become aware of the meaning, he said they will seek to change it.

Several schools in Oklahoma have a "Redskin" mascot. Others have "Brave," "Maiden," or "Savage" names.

The US Commission on Civil Rights recently issued a statement condemning the use of American Indians as mascots, logos, or nicknames at non-Indian schools.

Get the Story:
SOSU's mascot drawing fire (The Tulsa World 5/7)
When mascot names offend (The Tulsa World 5/7)

Relevant Links:
United States Commission on Civil Rights - http://www.usccr.gov

Related Stories:
School panel recommends change to 'Aztec' mascot (5/3)
EDITORIAL: Mascot statement not enough (4/26)
EDITORIAL: Mascot statement powerful (4/20)
EDITORIAL: Indians aren't mascots (4/19)
Action on mascots questioned (4/18)
Civil rights commission goes after mascots (4/16)