NYS Board of Regents votes to end use of Native American mascots and indigenous imagery

New York's state education department unanimously voted to end the use of Native American mascots in schools — and Sewanhaka High School and Wantagh High School must comply by the end of the 2024-25 academic year.

If both Long Island schools fail to remove their mascots — the Indian and the Warrior — by the deadline, they could be considered in willful violation of the Dignity For All Students Act and face penalties, such as the removal of school officers and the withholding of state aid.

This mascot removal includes indigenous imagery from school property, apparel, sports uniforms and fields.

An $86.6 million bond referendum was approved in 2014 to fund renovations within the Sewanhaka Central High School District. In 2015, a brand-new turf field was completed that reads “Sewanhaka Indians,” inscribed in the school’s purple, white and gold colors, displaying a portrayal of a Native American man’s head in the center.

Officials from both Sewanhaka and Wantagh high schools have yet to respond to requests for comment early Tuesday afternoon.

The National Congress of American Indians previously told the Herald they commend the state education department for taking this important step toward inclusivity in schools.

"The Tribal Nations of New York have consistently conveyed their opposition to stereotypical portrayals as public school sports mascots," the group said, in a statement. "It is our hope that sincere efforts to infuse a holistic, tribally informed curriculum which teaches an accurate history and the contemporary realities of the diverse Tribal Nations of New York will follow."

This is a developing story.