The Spirit Lake School Board has voted to keep its longstanding Indian mascot. Earlier this year, the Spirit Lake Tribal Council in North Dakota sent the district a letter, saying the mascot is offensive and calling for its removal. Vicky Larson is among the area residents who spoke at the board’s Monday night meeting. She favors keeping the Indian mascot for Spirit Lake teams.
Kate Mendenhall told the board indigenous people do not feel Indian mascots honor them.
Jeromy Mouw , the newest member of the Spirit Lake School Board member, says his vote to keep the Indian mascot is based on community feedback.
The board voted four-to-one to keep the Indian mascot. Greta Gruys was the board member who voted no, suggesting the board should collect more feedback before making a final decision.
In 2021, the Camanche School District changed its mascot to “the Storm” after Camanche sports teams had been known as The Indians for 60 years.
