Assembly bill AB858, also known as the Jerry Ballesteros Act, is now going to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. It is a bill introduced by Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles), calling for a ban on the use of Native American tribal names, specifically Apaches and Comanches, as school mascots. The Arcadia Board of Education opposes the bill. Arcadia leaders say the use of the name Apaches is a gesture of respect. Arcadia High School has a close relationship with the White Mountain Apache tribe, which supports the use of the name. This year's bill is different, in that last year's bill left a small loophole if the name is used respectfully.
Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles) has reintroduced her bill to ban the use of Native American names for school mascots. The bill was defeated in the last session, with opposition from the city of Arcadia and the Arcadia Unified School District. The act lists only two tribal names as specifically banned - Apaches and Comanches -- along with terms such as Redskins, Chiefs, Braves and Papooses. Under AB858, the only schools exempted from the ban are those under the regulation of tribal councils.
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.
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.
Board wants to keep Apache name. The Arcadia Board of Education voted unanimously to oppose AB 2115, a bill that would forbid Arcadia High School from using the Apache mascot.
Apache band captures praise in Arizona. The Arcadia High School Apache Marching Band and Color Guard took part in the White Mountain Apache Fair and rodeo in Arizona. The announcer said, "We are proud you are using our name." Photo caption: Wearing their new Apache-approved headdresses, members of the Arcadia high School Apache marching band tend to final details prior to the Arizona parade last weekend.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.