Yakima College Votes To Drop Indians Name

Sat., Jan. 10, 1998

From Staff And Wire Reports

At the request of American Indian students, Yakima Valley Community College has voted to drop the Indians name and logo that had been used by its sports teams.

A committee will select a new nickname, mascot and logo after trustees unanimously adopted a policy Thursday forbidding the school from using any word or symbol that demeans race, ethnic heritage or culture.

The school is less than 10 miles from the Yakama Indian Reservation. American Indian groups have objected to the use of Indian names and caricatures as team mascots in non-Indian schools across the state.

The vote Thursday follows an Indian student group’s recommendation.

“It’s not a white person’s issue. It’s almost embarrassing,” Jack Labbee told the trustees. “I think it’s time we showed some respect.”

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