Southern school board reinstates controversial 'Warrior Head' logo after hours of debate

The Southern York County School Board voted 7-2 during last night's meeting to reinstate the "Warrior Head" logo in its original form to replace all current logos for all logo applications, including but not limited to: sports teams, athletic activities, spirit wear and academic needs.

The vote took place nearly four hours after the start of the meeting, which included a nearly two-hour-long public comment portion, and an hour-long presentation by the Native American Guardian's Association, or NAGA, a nonprofit organization that has lobbied against the removal Native American mascots such as the former Washington Redskins.

According to school board President Nathan Henkle, the previous board had suggested that NAGA be invited to present its side of the story, and the current board decided to contact the organization to give it a chance to speak.

"The old board indicated that NAGA should be invited − but NAGA was not invited. There was never an email sent to NAGA's primary email address," he said.

Throughout the presentation, NAGA representatives expressed their goal to "educate" rather than "eradicate" Native American culture.

But many in the audience did not respond well to NAGA's presence.

The room was clearly divided. Many district parents spoke against reinstatement of the Warrior Head logo and how the board's priority should be their children's education. Students expressed how the logo debate has heightened racial bullying.

Several people spoke in favor of the logo.

'To put the mascot away is respect'

Amy Hall of Shrewsbury Township said she does not believe human faces should be displayed in logos.

"I am not offended by the graphics, as much as I am offended by the priority that this takes, over the students, teacher retention and many other things. You say it was the process, then fix the process," she said.

Susquehannock alumni, mother and Native American woman Katy Isennock shared her feelings about the logo and how it has affected her family.

"To put the mascot away is respect for the past for the present and for the future," she said. "We as a native nation do not need to be remembered or honored through a logo − this has stressed my children."

Isennock said her children have faced racism because of their native backgrounds, and regarding the mascot, the board should "leave it be, and move on with what matters most − our kids and their education."

Board member Elizabeth Dauberman expressed that her position on whether or not to reinstate the former warrior logo was on and off, often not knowing where she stood.

After hearing Katy Isennock speak and share how the logo affects her and her family, Dauberman had a change of heart.

"She (Isennock) told us how the face of the logo was offensive to Native Americans, not the warrior name. She offered to help the district research the Susquehannock tribe and create a new logo, honoring the Susquehannock tribe, without the face."

"Looking through her eyes, I understood it needed to be updated. We do not need that warrior head, to say that we are warriors." She voted to retire the Warrior Head logo.

'The children that want to keep the original logo don't say anything'

Trudy Zampier of Shrewsbury Township, who has children and now grandchildren attending the district, urged the board to keep the mascot and said she has learned from her grandchildren and their friends that some students want to keep the logo but choose to remain silent.

"The children that want to keep the original logo don't say anything because they are afraid they are going to be bullied," she said. "Tonight, I'm here to strongly urge you to reinstate the warrior logo, the reason is: this school is built on Susquehannock Indian land."

Board member Jen Henkel expressed her understanding for many parents not wanting to speak in favor of the mascot.

"I can see why people would not want to stand at that podium and give their support to a logo when they've been called colonizers, people who are participating in discrimination, and racist, and at the same time be called a coward if you have a difference of opinion."

"This isn't easy to do. I'm going to do it − I'm not a coward," she said.

She voted to bring back the Warrior Head logo.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Southern school board PA reinstates controversial "Warrior Head' logo