Current Event-Race Based Mascots

My current event is how schools have race-based mascots and logos. In 2002, many teams were encouraged to drop race- based names. Many schools still have Native American names, such as Nashoba, Algonquin, and many other high schools. Even colleges and professional teams still have some, but the University of North Dakota does not. UND were known as the “Fighting Sioux.” There are 9 different Sioux tribes in the state of South Dakota. In 1875 the Sioux and the Cheyenne Indians were tired of the white people stepping on the sacred land in the black hills. They all gathered in Montana with the great warrior Sitting Bull, and fought for the land in the summer of 1867. They prevailed in it was the best victory of the Sioux people. People from that area know all about the battle of little big horn, and that is why North Dakota University decided to call themselves the “Fighting Sioux.” On May 14, 2009, North Dakota State Board of higher education passed a resolution declaring UND to retire its logo. This logo has been with UND for 80 years. For the retirement, they will honor the Sioux tribes history and traditions.

Another example is in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. A new state law is meant to eliminate race-based logos, names, and mascots. This law allows district residents to lodge complaints. A complaint led to Kewaunee High School dropping the name “Indians.” They have been the Indians since 1936. the school decided to change their name to the “River Bandits.”

In 2005 the NCAA prohibited Teams from using Native American names, logos, and mascots in post-season competition. The Law in Wisconsin was the first document of this kind. Some Schools were allowed to keep the Native American Names because of the reason why they had them. Mishicot has gotten permission form Hannahville Potawatomi because their town is named for a chief from that tribe. Barbara Munson, the chair of a Wisconsin Indian Education Association says that the 30 schools in the district gave up the Native American names with no hassle.

Question to classmates- Why do you think athletic teams use Native American logos, names, and mascots, and do you think that they should be able to do so?

Hey, what are you reading? POST DUE BY WEDNESDAY 9.28.11

So we finally started our independent reading books today--a Monday morning tradition that I hope you will relish! In a comment to this post, please tell us about what you are reading. Include the title and author, and a brief synopsis thus far. How do you like

the book? What do you think?

Adam Current Event

My current event was about a Choctaw Indian college freshman who was a walk on for the University of Oklahoma's football team. The kids name is Jordan Eagle Road and he's from Talihina, Oklahoma. His hometown is in the middle of Choctaw country in Oklahoma. Him playing for Oklahoma serves as an inspiration for his people back home and for all American Indians.

He is one of the few full-blooded American Indians that are on Division 1 football teams in college. He was a QB in high school, but is being converted into a WR in college. Many college coaches shy away from recruiting American Indians based off the stereotype that they will leave early. Coaches attribute that to the culture shock that some might get by going from a reservation-like setting to a large urban type setting. This is just a stereotype, so it isn't always true.

Jordan has been a large inspiration to the youth of his Choctaw people. The kids see how much success that Jordan is having and this makes them aspire to do the same. Eagle Road decided to go to Oklahoma because it would be the place where he could make the greatest impact on his people and American Indians as a whole. He could have went to smaller schools with a full scholarship, but that wouldn't have made as big of an impact. He knows his main job is to help the Sooners win, but also realizes that he will be a role model for others.

The historical significance of this current event is that there is such a small number of American Indians that are playing in D-1 Athletics. Native Americans make up only 0.8% of Division 1 athletes. Most are just overlooked because of their ethnicity. More Native Ameicans need to have a chance to be recruited and hopefully a story like this opens recruiters eyes to this section of people. Native Americans originated many sports such as, lacrosse, canoeing, kayaking and much more. This story also is significant because of the history of Indians in Oklahoma. During the Trail of Tears, native americans were sent here, so Jordan being on the Oklahoma Sooners is even more important.

Website: http://nativetimes.com/sports/mainstream/6001-walk-on-is-source-of-pride-for-choctaw-people

Question to classmates: Why do you think that American Indian athletes are looked past when it comes to recruiting and playing Division 1 college athletics?

3-2-1 on "Indian Education" by Sherman Alexie DUE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd!

Ok folks. You've had your first look at Sherman Alexie's writing today. I've included a photo of him in case you were wondering what he looks like. He rocks! (Ms. McMaster and I are Alexie groupies!) Here's what I'd like you to do in a comment to this post: Write 3 observations you've made about Alexie's writing style. Write 2 questions about Native Americans that the story raises for you. Write 1 opinion you have about the story.

Foundations Project Wrap-up - Due 9/19

We have spent the last two days analyzing the six democratic principles established through our founding documents and how they can be applied to a present day issue. In order to reflect on and use what you have learned, please consider other current issues or challenges that our country is facing and discuss how one of the six democratic principles (limited government, popular sovereignty, checks and balances, separation of powers, equal protection, federalism) is being applied to that issue.

In responding to this post, you must:

1. Explain a present day issue in our country.
2. Reference a specific current event article that you have used to better understand the issue you have chosen (provide a link to your article so others can read it if they want to learn more).
3. Explain how one or more of the democratic principles is demonstrated in the example you have chosen (please pick a principle that is different from the one you focused on in class).

This blog response will be worth a ten point homework grade for history. Those points will be earned by demonstratinig significant effort and depth of analysis.

American Studies Website

The link below is VERY important! It will bring you to our American Studies Website. Any time you need to double check deadlines and/or download assignment sheets, navigate here:

https://sites.google.com/site/hudsonhighamericanstudies/

Or click on the link to the right.