SAUGATUCK, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – The next step in the process of rebranding Saugatuck Public Schools’ athletics is underway.
Through November 22nd, the district is conducting an online questionnaire, looking for suggestions to replace the long-standing “Indians” moniker that will be “retired” at the end of the calendar year.
Superintendent Tim Travis said that the decision earlier this fall by the board was not done on the spur of the moment to appease any aggrieved special interest groups. “We had an open forum about 10 years ago to make the same consideration,” he said during a recent appearance on “WHTC Morning News,” “and we decided not to change at that time, but since that time, we have been really very careful in trying to be respectful of Native Americans.”
To that end, Saugatuck used the block “S” symbol for its schools’ teams, with the only Indian references being a chief’s head and the words “Home of the Indians” painted on the walls of the high school gym.
The online questionnaire, which is the only way submissions would be considered by the board, will accept recommendations through November 22nd.
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