North-central Idaho school boards consider mascots

LEWISTON, Idaho — Two school boards in north-central Idaho say they’re researching the history and current public opinion of their school mascots after receiving letters from the Nez Perce Tribe objecting to the depictions. The Lewiston Tribune reports the mascot for Sacajawea Junior High School in Lewiston is the Braves and the mascot for Nezperce High School is the Indians. The Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee sent letters to both districts recently asking that the American Indian-based mascots be changed. Sacajawea Junior High parent Alaina Capoeman says the Braves image reinforces harmful stereotypes. Lewiston School Board members are reviewing the history of the Braves mascot by going over minutes from board meetings in 1977, and Nezperce District officials are holding a public survey asking whether residents would support a mascot change.