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Native American Names Remain Popular KS Mascots

By Associated Press/Brian Hagen/Greg Bebermeyer

10/10/2016

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Native American mascots are popular among Kansas high schools even as a national debate brews over whether they should be eliminated.

The Manhattan Mercury analyzed a list of all the high school mascots in Kansas.

Fourteen use Indians, making it the fourth most popular mascot in the state.

The list obtained from the Kansas State High School Activities Association shows that three schools use Redskins, two, including Atchison, use Redmen, two use Chieftains, two use Braves, and Wamego uses Red Raiders.

The newspaper's analysis stems from the use of the name “Indians” in the Manhattan schools. The school board is considering a name change, as advocates say the mascot is offensive or insensitive to American Indians.

Manhattan has used an Indian mascot since 1940. A push to change the mascot in 2001 was unsuccessful.

It was nearly 16-years ago that one local area district eliminated all Native American mascots from its schools.

Prior to a strong push, Hiawatha was long known as the Redskins, but that changed in December, 2000. A 4-3 vote of the USD 415 Board of Education changed the controversial mascot, with Hiawatha now known as the Redhawks.

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