Detroit Free Press longtime columnist Mick McCabe has seen them all in the last half century. The best of the best in Michigan high school sports during that time. Detroit Free Press

Aaron Payment is tired of talking about scalps. About nicknames, mascots and logos. About the exploitation of Native American history.

For 40 years beginning as a teenager Payment has fought against mainstream portrayals of his ancestors, while also trying to showcase Native American culture as a strong, healthy community still striving in society, rather than as characters or caricatures from a history book.

As the tribal chairperson of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and presidentof the United Tribes of Michigan, he wants it all to stop. In Michigan, more than 40 high schools still use nicknames or logos that Payment saysplay into racist stereotypes of indigenous people.

Over the years, high schools in Michigan have been slow to denounce the use of such imagery. But thats beginning to change. The Free Press reached out to more than 20 high school administrators overseeing schools with Native American nicknames or logos last week. Among those questioned,there was a consistent refrain in labeling nicknames such as"Redskins" which until Monday was championed by the Washington NFL team asracist. However, the administrators, including some who citedsupport from their local tribes,refused to label all Native American nicknames the same way.

In a review of MHSAA schools, the Free Pressidentified at least 44schools with nicknames, mascots or logos making reference to Native Americans, including four schools still using the term Redskins. The other nicknames range from racial termssuch as Redmenand Big Redsto other polarizing names such as Chiefs,Braves,Indiansand Warriors,which are debated even within some indigenous communities.

Aaron Payment, tribal chairperson of Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.(Photo: Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians)

I ask anybody that doesnt understand this issue to substitute the word Red with their race and ask themselves if they think thats acceptable, the 55-year-old Payment said. And when they realize that its not, then the question comes: Why are American Indians the only race that has to endure this?

For years, the logic for keeping such nicknames has been justified as a way to honor indigenous people. But that, too, is beginning to change. Paw Paw High School operated under "Redskins" for close to a century, but in March it retired its name and mascot an indigenous man in a headdress after a 6-1 school board vote, and later became the "Red Wolves."

Camden-Frontier, Clinton, Sandusky and Saranac still use the "Redskins" nickname, which the Anti-Defamation League in 2018 recognized as disparaging to Native Americans, as it hearkens back to bounties for the heads of indigenous people in the 1800s. The scalps, known as redskins, were sold as trophies of racial dominance.

[These are the Michigan high school nicknames some Native Americans find offensive]

If your nickname or your mascot is getting in the way of what youre trying to accomplish as a district, (then) you need to look at it, Paw Paw superintendent Rick Reo explained. Some schools might not be in that spot and some might be.

The removal of questionable Native American nicknames started30 years ago in Michigan. In 1990, Oak Park High School quietly became the first school to drop the "Redskins" moniker, opting instead to become the "Knights." The next year, Eastern Michigan University brought significant attention to the conversation when it ruled its "Hurons"nickname was offensive. The decision to drop the name in favor of Eagles was supported by indigenous descendants in EMUs administration, but it also was met with outrage from local Huron and Wyandotte tribes, the Free Press reported in 1991. (Two years earlier, in 1989, Central Michigan had avoided changing its "Chippewas" nickname by developing educational programs with the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council and discontinuing any Native American logos and drum beats.)

Since then, the conversation over how to properly honor Michigans rich Native American history has been sporadic.

You have to look at it within the context of history and what was happening in our society throughout history, said Dr. Martin Reinhardt, a Northern Michigan University professor ofNative American Studies. Its really a matter of power relationships and a matter of institutionalized racism.

Non-native people have adopted identities for their own purposes. Certainly, if people want to truly honor native people here in the United States, and elsewhere in the world, it seems the best way would be to make right the things that happened during colonization.

It wasnt until 2002, when Milford switched from "Redskins" to "Mavericks," that the idea of changing nicknames really took root. In 2003, Ottawa Hills became the states first and still the only school to drop "Indians" (its now the Bengals). After that, Marshall went from "Redskins" to "Redhawks" in 2005; Ypsilanti from "Braves" to "Grizzlies" in 2006; Belding from "Redskins" to "Black Knights" in 2016; and then Paw Paw in March.

I have no problem at all with people wanting to name their best and brightest after positions of respect in our culture, said Curtis Chambers, tribal chairman of the Sheboygan Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians from 2003-12. Certain tribal communities might have a problem with it. I certainly do not.

Redskins, to be honest, I never found it derogatory. I can see where other people and some of my tribal members felt it was racist. You dont change the world because one or two people, Chambers said, but their feelings matter, and you have to respect that.

Paw Paw High School donned the "Redskins" nickname and a logo featuring a indigenous caricature until March. This season will be the school's first as the Red Wolves.(Photo: Alyssa Keown | The Battle Creek Enquirer)

Chambers comments showcase the blurriness within tribal communities over where the offensive dividing line exists, but they dont necessarily represent the views of the majority of Native Americans.

In 2017, the 12 tribes of theUnited Tribes of Michigan were united ona resolution calling for the end of Native American-inspired nicknames, mascots and logos, Payment said. In addition, a scientific survey from the University of Michigan and University of California Berkeley in February found thatmore than half of the 1,000 Native Americans surveyed were offended by Redskins, 65% were offended by chants such as a tomahawk chop and 73% were offended by fans imitating Native American dances.

Given the current climate of national activism against racial profiling and intolerance, along with the NFL teams decision last week, the momentum for change has never been higher. The Cleveland MLB team is considering retiring its Indians nickname. The MLBs Atlanta Braves and NFLs Kansas City Chiefs are facing pressure to review theirs. And Friday the Canadian Football League's Edmonton club reportedly agreed to retire "Eskimos" as its nickname.

We have seen the recommendations from organizations or governments that have recommended schools do these things or dont do these things, Reinhardt said. The problem has always been that its not been mandated. And we are in need of a mandate.

[ Mick McCabeis writing a once-in-a-lifetime book about Michigan high school sports. Here's how to order it ]

Along with the four schools still using "Redskins," two use "Braves" (Gladstone, Tawas); sixuse "Chiefs"(Canton, Capac, Cheboygan, New Boston Huron, Okemos,White Pigeon); twouse "Chieftains" (Dowagiac, Utica); five use "Big Reds" (Chippewa Valley, Milan, Muskegon, Port Huron, Lansing Sexton);and eight use "Indians" (Athens, Chesaning, Hartford, Newberry, Saugatuck, Tecumseh, Tekonsha and White Cloud).

Fifteen schools use "Warriors," but not all are based on Native American ideology. Seven of them Birmingham Brother Rice, Walled Lake Western, Woodhaven, Forest Area, North Huron, Grass Lake, and Chippewa Hills have Native American depictions in their logos.

The other nicknames within Michigan that some tribes consider objectionable: Blackhawks/ Black Hawks (4), Chippewas (1), Eskymos (1), Hurons (1), Mohawks (1), Northmen (1) and Redmen (1).

A Sexton football player puts on his helmet before the Big Reds' game against Haslett on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, at Sexton High School in Lansing.(Photo: Nick King/Lansing State Journal)

The MHSAA, which governs high school sports in the state, encourages programs to have thoughtful conversations and to consider all viewpoints. But the MHSAA cant override school boards and has no power to ban any nicknames.

Mascots and nicknames should be inclusive and unifying, never offensive or divisive, MHSAA spokesperson Geoff Kimmerly said. The discussions at the pro levels certainly will prompt conversation at the local school level as well, and we have seen a few schools make changes over these last few years.

In recent years, most schools have taken steps toward inclusion by banning the tomahawk chop, war paint and headdresses; some made significant changes to logos and other aspects of athletic events. About five years ago, Sexton High School in Lansing nixed almost all Native American imagery but kept the "Big Reds" nickname, district spokesperson Bob Kolt said. The logo still features aNative American spear.

Kind of an example of how we were able to change successfully, Kolt explained. Its a reference to the logo and the big S for Sexton. Thats kind of how we changed it.

Some would disagree by saying the true meaning wont be put to rest until the nickname is removed. Most non-nickname alterations came as a byproduct of the Michigan State Board of Educations 2010 reaffirmation of a 2003 resolution that encouraged school districts to eliminate American Indian mascots, nicknames, logos fight songs, insignias, antics and team descriptors by all Michigan schools.

Full cooperation wasnt achieved.

Clinton High School took action in 2010 by removing all imagery that depicted Native Americans, including the Indian chief logo. At the time, however, a community vote revealed 93.6% of people wanted to keep the "Redskins" nickname. The district now plans to rethink the nickname, superintendent Jim Cracraft said.

Also nicknamed the "Redskins," Saranac Community Schools superintendent Jason Smith said discussions within his district will be conducted soon, but the main focus is getting students back into classrooms this fall. The high schools football jerseys have feathers visible from all angles.

A racist mascot by any other name is still racist, Payment said. I think a lot of people dont get it.

The Marquette High School nicknames are "Redmen" and "Redettes." Superintendent Bill Saunders said Willard Whitman, hired in 1920 to be the districts superintendent, brought the schools crimson-red color with him from Harvard, his alma mater, and had students wear red sweaters. In the 1940s, the Native American logo was attached until its removal in February 2020.

Saunders said the school board began to act on a review of the nickname in October, filed a report in December and had a community survey from March to April, but members wont make a final determination until in-person meetings return.

Chippewa Valley High School, with one of the largest enrollments in the state, is preparing to begin discussions that could dramatically change the schools history. The "Big Reds" nickname serves as a staple for the two-time football state champs. The logo, along with the football helmet, features two feathers; the school colors are red, black and white.

Principal Todd Distelrath acknowledged the "Big Reds" nickname could be considered offensive.

People identify with our name, so it can be a positive, he said. From a larger standpoint, it can work against that feeling of diversity that we are promoting and encouraging within our building. Its important everything about our school represents values that are important to us.

At Saugatuck High School, nicknamed the "Indians," several large Native American portraits were painted by a high school student, John Fox, in the 1970s. The former student and current community member now wishes he never constructed the portraits, explained superintendent Tim Travis, who thinks Saugatuck has a racist mascot and wants change.

Capac Community Schools superintendent Jeff Terpenning said Capac High School's"Chiefs" nickname comes from honoring Manco Capac, the founder of the Inca civilization. Terpenning began his position three years ago and says he hasnt had a local complaint, so hes not ready to budge.

Where confusion between Native American groups seeps into the conversationis when some schools have permission from local tribes to use the nicknames. Disagreements between tribal communities on the validation of those relationships dissolve any guidelines that may have been locally established.

Those relationships are so important to work together as a community and honor each others cultures, Chambers, 67, said. Just celebrate the differences. The differences arent reasons to go to war or argue.

Payment, one of Chambers close friends, countered.

Individual Indians dont speak for their nation, he said. There was a time when the education leaders would have said that segregation was supported in the community and was an acceptable practice. As we know today, thats a horrid position for an educator to take.

Their ignorance does not condone the use of a racial mascot that their students have been subjected to.

After the Washington NFL team retired Redskins" on Monday,Cheboygan Area Schools superintendent Paul Clarkcalled Chambers to make sure they were on the same page regarding Cheboygan High School's "Chiefs" nickname. Four years ago, the Native American on the logo was identified as a little angry looking, so the school board altered it to a headdress draped over the top left corner of the letter C.

There are no plans to change, Clark said. Our native population, they embrace the Chiefs and stand behind it. I kind of get the Redskins;I understand Paw Paw and Washington changing that. But we treat it with respect.

When the United Tribes of Michigan signed the resolution three years ago, the thought was for high schools to remove Native American nicknames. Relationships between those schools and local tribes, however, trumped those ideologies.

The friendship between the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and Dowagiac High School is the reason the schools "Chieftains" nickname remains. Since the Washington NFL team banned its nickname, superintendent Jonathan Whan hasnt received pushback from the tribal council.

But if the local tribe wanted a mascot change, Whan wouldnt hesitate to take the information to the school board.

I dont think any school ever chooses a nickname to be derogatory or disrespectful, he said. When the names were chosen, it was chosen to show a connection. That perception just wasnt what the perception is today. Ours is connected Pokagon Band. Theres no ifs, ands or buts, we are connected, respectful and proud of our relationship.

Canton High School dons the nickname "Chiefs," which not all indigenous people consider offensive.(Photo: Tom Beaudoin | Special to Hometownlife.com)

New Boston Huron High School superintendent Donovan Rowe is in the process of putting together an exploratory advisory committee, which will include members of local tribes, to help make a decision on the "Chiefs" nickname. Hes calling on Ted Roll, the chief of the Wyandotte of Anderdon Nation, for advice.

About 13 years ago, the chief head was removed from the schools logo, but this marks the first time Huron High is reaching out to the local Native American community on how to approach the nickname.

Thats something that means a lot to us, Rowe explained.

Tecumseh Public Schools superintendent Rick Hilderley said that since the town is named after a Native American Shawnee warrior, the high schools"Indians" nickname should be left alone in order to preserve the citys culture. Tahquamenon Area Schoolssuperintendent Stacy Price, who oversees Newberry High, said nothing will change about the "Indians" nickname without negative local feedback.

To insinuate a change among all schools, White Cloud Public Schoolssuperintendent Edward Canning, whose high school nickname is "Indians," said state leaders would need to make a full-fledged push against offensive Native American nicknames thus drawing a clear line for schools to follow.

Despite signs of discord, what everyone in the Native American community seems to agree on is the need for further representation of local tribes in school systems and throughout society, recognizing these cultures are just not, as Payment said, characters from a history book.

If we wanted to evolve from this uncivilized approach to subjecting Indian children to such racial imagery to a modern educational approach, Payment said, it would be to incorporate American Indian contributionsinto the curriculum.

As Chambers puts it: I am far more worried about history just getting rid of us.

Ultimately, the divide still exists, whether its from a lack of uniformity among Michigan high schools or Native American tribes. Nicknames such as "Redskins" and "Big Reds" might be on the way out, but "Chiefs,""Indians"and "Braves" remain highly contested.

We are still here; we will be here centuries from now, Payment said. And we will look back at this and say how savage they were for not wanting to change this.

Corrections and clarifications: A previous version of this story conflated Athens High School, which uses the nickname "Indians," with Troy Athens High School, whichuses the nickname "Redhawks."

Evan Petzold is a sports reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.

Read the original post:

Are all Native American nicknames racist? We asked Michigan high schools that use them - Detroit Free Press