Students in Lamar, Colorado, dressed up as fake Indians and set up a teepee as part of homecoming events in October 2014. Photo from The Prowers Journal
A bill to restrict the use of Indian mascots in public schools has hit a snag in Colorado. House Bill 1165 creates a Subcommittee for the Consideration of the Use of American Indian Mascots by Public Schools. The panel would review existing Indian mascots to determine whether they are offensive and schools that fail to eliminate an offensive mascot within two years will face fines. The bill was supposed to see final action on the House floor today. But Rep. Joe Salazar (D) pulled it after learning that he didn't have enough votes, The Denver Post reported. Republicans already oppose the measure so Salazar was counting on all of his fellow Democrats to support it. But Rep. Ed Vigil (D) was going to vote no, the Post reported, which would have meant the bill would have died with a 32-32 tie. "This is our heritage, and he's going completely back on the things that I'm sure his grandmothers and his grandfathers have suffered," Salazar told the Post in response. The paper said both Salazar and Vigil have Indian ancestors. At least 10 public schools in Colorado continue to use Indian mascots, nicknames and imagery. The "Savages" in Lamar are the most glaring example -- just last fall, students there dressed in faux Indian costumes and rode around town with a faux teepee during the homecoming parade. Get the Story:
Twist delays Colorado House vote on American Indian mascot bill (The Denver Post 4/14)
GOP questions mascot limits (The Durango Herald 4/14)
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