Native Americans praise school board for keeping ‘Chieftain’ name

A Native American organization has a message for a Vermont school stewed in controversy about the use of Native American names and symbols in the name of ethnic sensitivity: “Educate, not Eradicate.” The Native American Guardian’s Association (NAGA), based in North Dakota, has congratulated the Green Mountain School Board for reinstating the “Chieftain” team name for Green Mountain High School in Chester.But NAGA sees nothing wrong in identifying schools with Native American names and symbols.“NAGA would like to help educate the community members on the numerous contributions and history of the Native American people your school was originally named for,” Dakota Sioux tribe member and NAGA President Eunice Davidson and Navajo tribe member and VP Crystal Tso wrote on behalf of the board of directors.

The NAGA website includes photos of Native Americans in ceremonial dress holding tribal and American flags at major sporting events, and a photo of the first Native American woman astronaut in space.Although NAGA approves the school-based use of Native American names and symbols for team names, etc.