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.
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.
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.
A member of the White Mountain Apache Tribal Council in Arizona said Friday the Council still accepts the use of the "Apache" nickname by Arcadia High School, despite a local Native American activist's request to condemn it.