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.
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 Apaches name use is challenged. Sonny Skyhawk challenged The Arcadia School Board to drop the Apache Native American mascot for Arcadia High School.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Decades-long debate over Arcadia High School's use of Apache imagery resurfaces. The controversy began in 1997. In the late 1990s, Native American activists threatened to sue Arcadia High School over the use of the Apache mascot. "Apache Joe" mascot is no longer used. In 2020, a year of massive protests and change in the United States, perhaps another look at the logo and name may be in order. Arcadia schools Superintendent David Vannasdall responded, in part, with why Arcadia High School continues to use the Apache name, citing the strong partnership between Arcadia High School and the White Mountain Apache Tribe, who granted the use of their name to the school. He said, regardless of the school's mascot name, he will continue to honor the relationship he and Arcadia High School have with the White Mountain Apache Tribe and is fortunate to call them friends. He believes revisiting this issue on a regular basis is wise.