Native Americans are now adding their voices to the debate in the Menomonee Falls School District over the "Indians" mascot.

Several Native American speakers, two of whom were specifically invited by the school board, spoke during a public listening session Monday night ⁠— all of them in support of the district changing the name of the high school's mascot/nickname from the “Indians” to something else.

However, an online petition to keep the mascot and nickname has also garnered support, with 2,801 signatures on the petition as of Oct. 29.

This comes after the school board sent a letter Oct. 25 announcing that a change could cost $20,000 — although with no tax impact to residents.

A decision from the school board might not come until Dec. 9, as Superintendent Corey Golla is expected to share his recommendation with the board in November. Golla previously privately expressed reservations about the mascot, saying in an email to a colleague that he would resign if the mascot didn't change. He later said he regretted making those comments.

Oneida Nation

Mark Powless, the director of the South Eastern Oneida Tribal Services and one of the speakers the board invited to the meeting, said it is wrong that school boards across the nation are the ones deciding how Native Americans are represented through mascots. Native Americans, themselves, should be the ones to decide, he said.

The school district is one of 31 school districts in the state that still use a Native American mascot.

“As an indigenous person myself, being indigenous isn't about having an emblem on my shirt or having a mascot that I can relate to. It's about the culture that I carry with me every day… how I am represented as an indigenous person is a serious matter to me,” Powless said to the board.

Powless also said he felt the school district should do more to educate students about Native American culture ⁠— something that's mandated by state Act 31.

"It's a little disheartening to hear that that's not happening, particularly in the school with the mascot of 'Indians,'" he said.

Mark Denning, who was born on the Menominee Reservation and is now a member of the Oneida Nation, also spoke during the meeting. He said the district should consider how the "Indians" name might negatively affect Native American children who attend the school.

"Public schools are about educating all children, not just some children," he said. “Remember, you’ve only had this name for three generations. We've been here since time immemorial."

Tina Koehn, a member of the Menominee Nation tribe, and the mother of three children who went to the high school, told the board said she asked all three of her children how they felt about the name. All three said they wanted it to be removed. Her son said he felt the name was "degrading" toward Native Americans, she said.

A community divided

About 15 Menomonee Falls residents also spoke during the meeting. Erin Paisley-Stueber, a parent of two children who attend Falls schools and an alumna herself, said Oct. 28 that changing the name would help the district become more inclusive.

“People are not mascots. Mascots are pets. Native Americans are not pets,” she said. “If you really want every child to feel at home and a part of our community, give them a mascot they can rally behind.”

Robyn George, a senior at Menomonee Falls High School, also spoke in favor of changing the name. She wore a Menomonee Falls High School shirt while she spoke solely because she said it didn’t have an older Indians logo on it. The district more recently has been using a logo with a "feathered F."

“I believe that the mascot discussion is not one of hate, it's one of miseducation,” she said. “As a school bearing the name of a Native American tribe, we, unfortunately, have failed to educate our students on even the most basic of Native American relations. Most of our students have never met a Native American person.”

George and other students who spoke in favor of the change said the high school could easily change the nickname to the "Eagles."

Not everyone who spoke agreed, however. Many who oppose a change said they would like the district to have a referendum on the matter.

Menomonee Falls resident James Hebda said the “feathered F” logo is fine as is.

“What I’m afraid is going to happen here — and I’m already seeing it — is the will of a few are trying to push it on to many,” Hebda said after the meeting. “It’s sad to see that.”

Carol G., who didn't want her last name used, pointed to the petition to keep the name as proof that this is what the public wants. She also is in favor of the school board putting the matter to a referendum.

“If it’s a local issue, and they've opened it up to the public, then they should listen to the people that voted for them, and they're not listening to the majority, they're really not,” she said.

The school board's Oct. 25 letter said the current plan is to not have a referendum on the change.

“At this time, we have chosen not to take this topic to a referendum so we can include student feedback and avoid unnecessary taxpayer expense. We believe referendums should be reserved for significant legal and financial implications,” the letter said.

What’s next?

Residents are asked to share their opinion on the district’s online portal for public comment or by emailing the board at board@sdmfschools.org.

Golla, who is not a voting member of the board, will prepare and present his summary during the next two school board meetings, which are scheduled for Nov. 11 and 25.

Both of the board meetings are open to the public and are scheduled to be held in the board room at Menomonee Falls Village Hall, W156 N8480 Pilgrim Road.

Evan Casey can be reached at 414-403-4391 or evan.casey@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @ecaseymedia.