BUCKLAND — The decision now is more than removing an image that depicts a Native American man from the gym wall. The Mohawk Trail Regional District School Committee plans to also consider changing the “Warriors” team name and perhaps the name of the school district.
The School Committee will vote on all three issues at its next meeting — Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m. at Mohawk Trail Regional School.
The prospect of removing the final two images of its Native American mascot — most notably, a mural of a Native American man in a feathered headdress in the school gymnasium – was discussed at Local Education Council and School Committee meetings earlier this year. However, the other two items — changing its team name, “Warriors,” and its school name, “Mohawk” — have not been on the table until now.
Chair Martha Thurber said the committee decided to take a vote on the school district name “to make sure that we clearly take a position on every aspect of the Native imagery issues at Mohawk.”
“We want to cover everything so that there’s no ambiguity,” Thurber said. “We want to make everything clear.”
Co-Principal Marisa Mendonsa said she hopes the community can unite as they discuss how to move forward.
“It’s really important for me to not have something that divides our community,” Mendonsa said. “It’s an opportunity for our community to come together.”
If any of the three items are approved — concerning the mural, team name and school district name – the School Committee would then formally include community members in discussions about how to make these changes. Thurber said the committee would create a group of stakeholders — students, educators, administrators and community members among them — to decide how to go about changing any murals or names. If the School Committee approves changing the gymnasium mural, it would most likely be removed this summer, with the group of stakeholders recommending a new image and or display in the school representing “the spirit and character of the area.”
While the school committee initially said it did not plan to change the team name, “Warriors,” as discussions ensued several representatives, students and community members suggested finding an alternative. Those in support of changing the team name suggested that when said together, “Mohawk Warriors” is linked to a Native American tribe.
“It’s arisen both from School Committee members and it also arose from some of the comments that we heard at the public meeting. If you have Mohawk Warriors, doesn’t that conjure up images of Native Americans?” Thurber said.
Thurber said the School Committee decided to vote on these three issues at a public Professional Development meeting April 22.
The School Committee informed students about its intent to vote on removing its mural and team name via an April 29 email and in two class discussions. These class discussions, led by committee members, took place in the Expanded Learning Opportunity class today for high schoolers and Monday for middle schoolers. Students are able to sign up if they are interested in attending, the letter wrote.
“The School Committee understands that there are a lot of strong opinions about these potential changes. Each member of the committee is considering all sides of the issue and many different sources of information before deciding how to vote,” the letter wrote. “Please also understand that School Committee members are obligated to vote based on what they feel is best for all students and not solely on the most popular opinions expressed.”
The letter directs students to three resources concerning Native American mascots: an online video called “Understanding the Harm, the Nationwide Movement to Eliminate Indian Mascots;” a tab on the school website “Native Imagery at MTRS: Info and Resources;” and the non-discrimination policy, also on its website.
While students were told about the School Committee’s plan to vote on three items related to the mural, team name and school district name, parents have not been directly informed. Thurber said the School Committee agenda for May 9 would be posted online Friday or Monday, and those following the issue would be made aware of the new plans through community members or social media.
Amy Coates, a parent of three Mohawk Trail Regional School students, expressed concerns about how the issue is being handled. She also opposed the proposed changes.
Coates said she first learned about the committee’s plans to vote on changing the team and school district names (in addition to the mural) when her children showed her the School Committee’s email. In Coates’s view, the committee has made up its mind and is not considering other opinions.
“I was shocked. I thought this whole time we were just talking about the mural,” Coates said. “We pay for that high school.”
Hawley Selectboard member Hussain Hamdan, who graduated from Mohawk Trail in 2010, said he is concerned students may refrain from speaking up if their views differ from those of school leaders. Mendonsa has previously expressed support for removing the mural, for example. Hamdan recommended the school ask students to vote in a paper ballot.
“Asking kids to get up and voice their views in front of the School Committee is all well and good if you are incredibly mentally tough, or think your opinion conforms to the one you are expected to have,” Hamdan said. “On the other hand, even grown-ups agree that when it really counts, we let private citizens vote behind a curtain.”
Reach Grace Bird at
gbird@recorder.com or
413-772-0261, ext. 280.