Activist renews threat to sue schools over Redskins nickname

PORTLAND – An American Indian Movement leader in Maine has renewed his threat to sue the Sanford and Wiscasset school districts unless they drop the Redskins nickname for their sports teams.

“Your continued use of the mascot name Redskins shows your utter contempt for the culture and sensitivities of Indian people,” David Spirit Bear Walton wrote in letters sent last month to school officials in the two towns.

Walton, who lives in Limington, said he believes the nickname is racist and represents an “ethnic defamation of Indian people.”

School officials in both towns say they have no plans to accede to Walton’s demand that they change their controversial mascot.

Sanford School Superintendent Robert Kautz said use of the nickname is not meant as a slight.

“I am quite confident that the use of it in this community is very respectful and one in which it engenders pride in our teams and the individuals who participate on those teams,” Kautz said. “In no way is anyone trying to bring disrespect upon anyone. I’ve not heard anyone express they are purposely intending to degrade or diminish anyone.”

Walton, publisher of the monthly Indian newsletter, “Norumbega,” said he plans to take both towns to court and has set his sights on other school districts that have mascots he considers offensive.

He made a similar threat a year ago, but said Sanford and Wiscasset school officials have had enough time to address the issue.

“All I want them to do is stop using the term Redskins,” Walton said Thursday. “Then we’ll go after the ones who call themselves Indians.”

School districts throughout the country have been pressed by American Indian groups to change team names such as Redskins, Indians, Warriors, Braves, Chiefs and others that refer to American Indians.

School officials in Scarborough last year decided to drop that high school’s mascot, Redskins. They have yet to choose a replacement.

Sports teams at Skowhegan and Old Town high schools have the nickname Indians. High schools with the nickname Warriors are Fort Kent, Wells, Windham Christian Academy, Nokomis in Newport and Southern Aroostook.