Mulian Smith, who has organized the effort to have the Skowhegan Indians change their nickname, plans to present this petition to the School Administrative District 54 school board Thursday night. Smith hopes to get 1,000 signatures.

[URL]Removal of the Skowhegan Area High School Indian Mascot;http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/removal-of-the-skowhegan-1?source=c.em&r_by=12120373[/URL]

Petition by Maulian Smith

To be delivered to Martha J Harris, Chair, Maine Board of Education and Brent Colbry, Superintendent, Skowhegan

Skowhegan has the last “Indian” high school mascot in Maine.

Schools all over the country are changing these mascots because they promote institutionalized racism and the American Psychological Association has called for their removal because they are proven to be harmful to students of all backgrounds. Indian mascots dehumanize Native Americans and mock our culture and identity. It is not an honor to have your heritage worn as a costume.

Let’s do the right thing, Skowhegan!

PETITION BACKGROUND: I am a Maine Indigenous woman from the Penobscot Tribe. I want to make the state a place that does not condone racism and mistreatment of my people.