Kennewick School District Prepares for Mascot Changes

(Kennewick, WA) -- The Kennewick School District has released a statement on the changes they may be making to comply with the recent Washington state law that prohibits the use of Native American names, symbols or images as public school mascots, logos or teams. The legislation was signed back in April, and will take effect this upcoming January.

The message sent out to families reads:

"In late spring 2021, the District reached out to the Yakama, Umatilla, and Colville tribes for consultation. District and school administration recently met with the Director of Curriculum from the Umatilla Tribe to discuss tribal curriculum. In addition, District and school administration recently met with the Yakama Tribal Council to present information on District curriculum implementation and to show the “Braves” and “Thunderbirds” mascots, logos, and imagery in use at Kamiakin and Legacy high schools. The Tribal Council shared their diverse feedback and perspectives on the mascot issue."

In order to continue using the “Braves” and “Thunderbirds” as school mascots for its Kamiakin and Legacy High Schools, the District would need to receive formal enactments or resolutions from neighboring tribes authorizing their continued use. It has not yet received total confirmation of that. As a result, the school district is preparing to start the re-naming process in the event that it does not receive authorization from the neighboring tribal communities.