Nc Students Hear Difference Between Mascot And Symbol

Pauline Flett sat in a high-backed wooden chair, center stage, sharing legends of the Spokane Tribe.

These are the stories she grew up with: the clever blue jay, indispensable aide to the Medicine Man; the gossiping meadow lark; the coyote, who worked to rid the earth of people-eating monsters; and the fox, who served as the coyote’s guardian.

Flett’s audience, the students of North Central High School, listened attentively. They understood the stories’ importance - not only because of their historical significance, but because one of those creatures could become NC’s new mascot.

For Native American Heritage month, Flett and her son Bryan - members of the Spokane Tribe - met with students Tuesday for a special, informative convocation. Specifically, they came to speak about the difference between mascots and symbols.

“We want to set a precedent,” said Bryan Flett, “so the rest of the community knows what two organizations can do when they sit down together and talk and listen.”

The con was the latest meeting in a long process of cross-cultural understanding. After a question about the appropriateness of Indian mascots came up again throughout the nation last February, NC officials initiated a conversation with the tribe. The issue had been simmering there since the 1990-91 school year - the school’s last with a student performing as an Indian mascot.

“Really, the process is more important than the outcome,” said Assistant Principal Ed Fisher, who has been working closely with tribe members. “I want kids to see that two people can disagree and how to resolve that. All they see in movies and on TV are quick solutions.”

Since 1991, the school has still been referred to as “NC Indians.” The reader board, letterman jackets and school letterhead still display an Indian wearing a headdress.

And those things will not change. What may be different is the mascot that will attend games, matches, meets, contests and parades to inspire and excite the crowd.

During the con, an official showed a video that highlighted exactly what a mascot is - typically, someone dressed up in a fuzzy costume, like Washington State University’s cougar Butch, who tries to start the crowd clapping and cheering.

The video had the desired effect - laughter.

“We do not want to be anybody’s mascot, portrayed in a comical light,” Flett said. “Indians can be a symbol, but along with that comes the responsibility for understanding what it means to carry that symbol.”

To give students ideas for a more appropriate mascot, Pauline Flett explained the traditional tribal stories surrounding some of the most popular creatures found in legends. She said she would gladly share the stories of other animals students want to learn about, too.

“We should learn to love each other and understand each other better,” she said. “Through these stories it can happen.”

Students will soon be given a chance to vote if NC should keep Indians as their mascot, if they should have no mascot or if they should pick a new one.

After Tuesday’s con, many students were in favor of choosing a new mascot.

“It’s a good idea because now, there’s not anything to excite us,” said junior Carly Clark. “It’s better than having none.”

“We shouldn’t have a mascot that offends anyone,” added junior Denee Wolbert. “We can find a new alternative.”