South Bend Indians mascot
SOUTH BEND - With legislation now passed and signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee, South Bend School District must change its Indian mascot. Going into effect July 25 is SHB 1356, a bill prohibiting Washington schools from using Native American names, symbols, and images as school mascots, logos, or team names, and requires all schools to be in compliance by January, 2022. For South Bend HS, Henry Hackadoo will have to go too.
"The district must comply with all Washington state laws," South Bend Superintendent Dr. Jon Tienhaara told the Herald. "There are always multiple opinions and feelings with sensitive issues such as this, we will do our best to comply as required." The district is doing its best to comply with the law. We are mandated to make the change before Jan 1, 2022."
The Herald asked Dr. Tienhaara if, over the years, he has heard complaints from the public about SBHS using "Indians" as a mascot. "To answer your question directly, the district has received complaints from various members of the public in the past. We have also received support from various members of the public in the past."
Dr. Tienhaara answered several questions posed from the Herald about what the current situation at SBHS is, what the school board is doing, the procedure the school district will follow about changing the mascot, what input the students and community will have in selecting a new mascot, etc.
According to Dr. Tienharra, the South Bend School District Board of Directors has directed the formation of a committee to conduct a process for selecting a new school team name/mascot. The committee has been formed and consists of school staff, community members, alumni, tribal members, and students. At their first meeting, the committee identified several possible team names with the additional option of a "write-in" choice.
Dr. Tienhaara added that South Bend students will have the opportunity to give input before the school year ends and the South Bend community will have the opportunity to provide input in the coming weeks. Once input from students and the community is collected, a recommendation from the committee will be made to the board of directors. The goal is to select a new team name prior to the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.
Dr. Tienhaara did not know what mascots were being considered to replace Indians. "I do not at this time have the official list. More info will be coming out soon."