NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Connecticut towns could lose funding if their schools' sports teams use Native American names or mascots.
That’s according to a provision in the state budget that state lawmakers are expected to pass this week, the Hartford Courant reported.
The state gets slot machine revenue each year from the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes, who operate casinos. But towns would have to forgo their share of that money if they have sports teams that use “any name, symbol or image that depicts, refers to or is associated with a state or federally recognized Native American tribe or a Native American individual, custom or tradition.”
According to the Courant, 12 high schools in the state still have teams that could be impacted by the provision. Among them are Killingly, which has a “Redmen” mascot, as well as Montville and North Haven, which have “Indians” mascots.
Both major tribes in the state have voiced opposition to the use of Native American mascots, according to the report. Sen. Cathy Osten said the provision aimed to reflect that.
“We’re just saying that if you’re going to take dollars directly from the Native American communities, you shouldn’t disrespect those communities,” Osten said.
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