Officials with the William S. Hart Union High School District held a public discussion about the history and controversy surrounding the Hart High School Indian mascot, which many have recently called “outdated and offensive.”
On Tuesday morning, the Hart District Governing Board held a virtual study session to start a conversation about changing Hart High’s Indian mascot, which students have called “outdated.”
“(Study sessions) give the board an opportunity to learn without the pressure of having to make a decision,” said Dr. Cherise Moore, chair of the Hart District board. “They are designed to ensure that when we do have to make decisions we are completely informed as a board.”
Among those in attendance were Julia Estrada, a recent Hart High graduate who started an online petition back in June of 2020 to urge Hart High School and district staff to retire the school’s “outdated and offensive Indian mascot.”
“The issue with the mascot is that it stereotypically portrays an existing race and culture, and promotes ignorance throughout the student body,” Estrada told the board Tuesday.
Many of the written comments submitted to the board ahead of the study session argued that the majority of Native Americans were not opposed to the Indian mascot, with one dismissing the effort to replace it as being part of a “racist political agenda.”
“I think that the Hart High administration should tell people they have more important things to worry about like trying to open school for the spring semester,” one person wrote.
However, the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (FTBMI), whose homelands include the Santa Clarita Valley, issued a statement in direct opposition of such race-based mascots.
“Our Tribal citizens have vocalized their fear for their children who may attend these schools where race-based chants, symbols, make-up, costumes, and/or atmosphere will impact their Native student’s self-esteem and self-worth,” the FTBMI statement reads. “Thus, FTBMI supports the change of race-based Native American mascots as a true gesture toward equality and justice that centers our children and future generations.”
While no action was taken as Tuesday’s meeting was a study session, Moore assured that there would be “plenty of opportunities for further discussion and input” in the future.
To read the full FTBMI statement, click here.
See Related: Hart District Schedules Discussion Regarding Hart High Mascot Change
The Hart High Indian has been the mascot for the school since January of 1946, when the school’s very first class voted in favor of it in a poll that saw the “Buckaroos” come in second.
Controversy over the mascot then arose in the 1990’s, when then-principal Laury Strauss worked to “sensitise” the mascot on campus. This involved the removal of any Native American caricatures in the school’s publications and extracurriculars, as well as stating that the administration would not condone stereotypical chants or actions from students.
“It is the prevailing view that our mascot, the Indian, is a symbol of bravery, adventure, courage, and strength, contrary to the view of demeaning people,” Strauss wrote in a letter to the Central Coast Association of American Indians in 1995.
The issue of the mascot would arise once again in the summer of 2020, when Estrada organized an online petition to retire what she called an “outdated and offensive Indian mascot.”
“I truly believe that now is an appropriate time to consider making this change,” Estrada wrote. “Given that we are amidst a shift in history where young people are challenging the deep-rooted racism found in everyday society.”
The petition has since garnered over 18,000 signatures, attracting the attention of district officials and prompting a response from Hart High principal Jason d’Autremont.
“I appreciate your focus on cultural sensitivity,” d’Autremont wrote to Estrada. “It’s something that all of us are especially attentive to – given the national (and international) call for social justice. As Principal, it’s always been important to me to ensure that our school (and our students) represent our community with the utmost dignity and respect.”
Since then, d’Autremont has reported that several changes have taken place on campus to address concerns over the mascot, which range from the banning of headdresses and teepees at school events, to the removal of both a wood carving of the mascot from the ASB office and a headdress from a trophy case.
“Throughout this whole process, if we don’t have education on one side or the other, because that’s the only way real transformation will take place, then I think that’s lost,” d’Autremont told the board Tuesday.
The Hart District Governing Board is set to hear from members of the Tataviam tribe during their Feb. 17 board meeting.
“Keeping a race-based mascot sends a clear message: that a school district values their school pride based upon race-based imagery more than the harmful psychological and emotional impacts it has on real-life Native students,” the FTBMI statement reads.
To watch the full study session, check out the video above, or click here.
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