NAEA Position Statement Regarding the Use of Mascots Depicting Native and Indigenous Cultures in Educational Settings
NAEA considers Native mascots in educational institutions to be representations that can be seen as derogatory. Visual arts, design, and media arts educators are encouraged to support their communities in addressing how such images impact all lives. Native mascots offer teachable moments for art classrooms, as well as opportunities to explore the complex and problematic ways Native mascots and similar visual representations convey information about people, communities, cultures, and civilizations. Visual arts, design, and media arts educators working in non–Native American schools with Native mascots are encouraged to ask their school to consult with and be informed by Native American Tribal Councils regarding culture, history, and use of imagery, and to participate in identifying images to represent their school and communities.
(Note: This Position Statements was formerly titled “Position Statement Regarding the Use of Race-Based Mascots in Educational Settings.”)
Resource Document: The Committee that prepared this Position Statement has also developed a resource document that is available for download by clicking here.
Federally Recognized Tribes: