Several White Mountain Apaches spent several days on the high school campus exchanging friendship and learning. Tribal Council Chairman Dallas Massey, with others in his group, also attended a Board of Education meeting, Chamber of Commerce Intercultural Dinner and the Rotary Club.
Councilman Gary Kovacic has suggested that Arcadia establish a sister city relationship with Whiteriver, the main community on the White Mountain Indian Reservation, upon which the White Mountain Apache Tribe live.
Arcadia High School's Student Executive council convened behind closed doors last week to cast its vote on whether the Apache mascot is insulting to American Indians or is a tradition which should remain at the school. They present their vote to the School Board on Tuesday.
The Apache marching band will participate in the annual Festival of Bands. Dallas Massey, Apache Tribal Chairman for the White Mountain Apaches, will be the Grand Marshal of the parade.
Despite pressure from Native American representatives to switch mascots in the interest of cultural sensitivity, the Apache will remain as Arcadia High School's mascot, student and school leaders decided.
More than a mascot. Schools: When a Native American group urged Arcadia High to stop using the Apache as a symbol, officials made it an educational issue to be studied--and decided by--the Student Council. Members of the Arcadia High School Student Council are scheduled today to recommend whether to keep their school mascot, the Apache warrior which has been used for 45 years.
The Apaches are here to stay. The Arcadia High Student Exectuvie Council announced that the school will maintain the the Apache Indian as the Arcadia High School mascot.
Arcadia High School Principal Martin Plourde's attempts at racial sensitivity over the school's use of an Apache mascot have not only left the mascot question unsettled, they have also incensed Los Angeles' Native American community.
Council opposes tribal mascot bill. Arcadia city council voted to oppose AB 2115 or any other legislation that would block Arcadia High School from using the Apache name and mascot.
Arcadia board reaffirms use of Apache name. The school board revisited the issue of the use of the Apache name and symbol by Arcadia High School. Native Americans spoke against using the name Apache but the board concluded that it will retain "Apaches," a name AHS has used since the early 1950s.Article by Ed Spielman