California High School Hopes to Restore ‘Indian’ Mascot

For nearly a century, Marysville High School in California was defined by the orange and black, rallying under the banner of the “Indians.” However, in compliance with California’s 2015 Racial Mascots Act (AB 30), which banned public schools from using the term “Indians” as a school mascot or team name, Marysville—like many schools across the state—faced the mandatory task of retiring its legacy brand. Governor Gavin Newsom signed an extension of the law in 2024.

Now, a passionate movement within the Marysville community is looking to the past, sparking a complex debate about heritage, identity, and statutory compliance as advocates hope to restore the historic mascot.

For many Marysville alumni and longtime residents, the “Indians” moniker was never viewed as a caricature or a slight. To the community, the name represented resilience, honor, and a deep-rooted local history. Generations of students grew up under the emblem, associating it with Friday night football games, academic triumphs, and a shared civic pride. Advocates for restoring the mascot argue that retiring the name chipped away at the school’s unique identity and historical continuum. They believe that with proper coordination and respectful representation, the name can be used to honor local Native American heritage rather than exploit it.

“The Marysville Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees recognizes the deep history and tradition associated with the Indians mascot and acknowledges the strong connection many alumni, students, staff, and community members have to it,” Marysville Joint Unified School District Superintendent Jordan Reeves said in a statement last week, according to Fox News.

Reeves added that the school has met with local tribal representatives to obtain written consent but was unable to secure it before the law took effect. According to Reeves, tribal leaders have largely chosen to remain neutral on the subject for now.

Rather than just succumbing to the boneheaded state law, the school district will continue pursuing opportunities to obtain written permission from a local, federally recognized tribe, which would allow Marysville High School to retain its historic mascot under the provisions of state law.

The movement to ban mascots containing Native American imagery has been going on for decades, running the gamut from professional sports teams—such as the Cleveland Indians and Washington Redskins—to colleges, universities, and K-12 interscholastic teams. Critics say that these mascots perpetuate stereotypes, while supporters counter that they show nothing but respect. In fact, many tribes have supported retaining such mascots, which they view as a positive image builder.

As a graduate of a high school whose mascot was an Indian, I wholeheartedly agree. In an era before political correctness took root, our school was proud of our mascot. We truly felt that being an Indian was far fiercer than being a Patriot or a Blazer.

The school has no current plans to replace its mascot and will continue to try to obtain consent for their traditional image and restore a 100-year old tradition.