Removing Redskins From Calaveras High School Will Prove Costly, Controversial
SAN ANDREAS (CBS13) — A law that bans the use of Redskins mascots at public schools has upset supporters, who say they didn't have a say in the decision and that the push came from outside California.
Calaveras High School officials say removing the Redskins indian chief from shirts, uniforms, the scoreboard and walls won't be easy or cheap.
"I would say somewhere between $100,000 and $200,000," said football coach Jason Weatherby. "Three sets of uniforms for our football guys at the freshman, JV, and varsity level at $50 apiece, so $10,000 dollars per set. That's $30,000 right there without even looking at anything else."
Gov. Jerry Brown's signature means the school must change its logo by January 1, 2017.
"All of my family graduated through being a Redskin. I'd love to be a Redskin. I hate knowing we have to change it. It all seems stupid to me," said freshman player Logan Weatherby.
But how do native tribes within Calaveras County feel about the mascot change?
"I'm indian," said junior football player Joseph Celli. "My dad is part of a tribe. My tribe specifically is fine with the name. They think it's honoring that a school would name themselves after them."
The Calaveras Miwuk Indians agree, writing, "Our county, our citizens both native and non native are very proud of our logo. It was heartbreaking to hear the chief head will be removed."
But Dahkota Kicking Bear Brown, who CBS13 interviewed last year about the bill, was happy to hear it passed, saying, "I hope it paves the way for all other states to pass similar laws because nobody's school or team pride should outweigh a person's cultural identity,creating an opportunity for Native youth to obtain an education free from mockery and hold their head high with pride in their ethnicity."