The Oregon Board of Education voted Thursday afternoon to ban Native American mascots in schools across the state. The policy, which represents one of the toughest stances on the issue nationwide, was passed on a vote of 5-1.

"There's a collective right that exists here," said board member Artemio Paz. These sorts of mascots produce "racism and unnecessary bullying. We do not allow that to exist for any of our populations."

All told it will affect at least 15 Oregon schools. Some schools will have to change both their mascots and their nicknames. Others, who call themselves “warriors,” will be allowed to keep their names but must change their mascots. The schools will have to make the changes by July 2017 or risk losing state funding.

The change has been

. Back in 2006, Che Butler, a former Taft High School student, brought the issue before the school board. He told The Oregonian at the time that he was motivated to push the issues after his school played the Molalla High Indians. During the game he saw a student dressed in buckskin and fake feathers performing Native American dance moves.

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That sort of conduct no longer happens at the games, according to Molalla administrators. But the Indian mascot is present throughout the school.

The Indian head is spray painted on lockers, displayed on the gym floor and rendered in metal in the courtyard. Arrows help guide visitors through the hallways. And a totem poll and teepee are displayed on the school’s soccer field.

The Board has also since reviewed evidence that Native American-themed mascots “may not be healthy and safe for students,” according to spokeswoman Christine Miles.

Some schools have tried to push back by citing support from local tribes, however the

-- the oldest, largest and most representative organization in the U.S. -- has passed a resolution against the practice.

All told, the board received some 700 comments on the new policy, about 400 of which were in favor of the ban. A public hearing on the subject lasted four and a half hours -- one staff member said that was the longest hearing on a rule she's seen.

During the hearing Thursday, Se-ah-dom Edmo, a representative from the

, advocated for the new policy.

“Words matter. Images matter. Their history and how they were created matter. The environment that they create matters,” she told the board. “Just as your vote today matters.”

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