Canton 'Chiefs' Mascot Should Be Changed: Student Group Petition

CANTON, MI — A student government organization at Canton High School has begun an initiative to change the school's "Chiefs" mascot, arguing that the mascot is offensive.

The Canton Congress, a student government organization at Canton High School, made a petition that supports the retirement of the Chiefs mascot last week. The group published a petition on Change.org that seeks to change the mascot. As of Monday morning, the petition is fewer than 50 signatures away from its goal of 1,500.

"Eight tribes in the United Tribes in Michigan explicitly condemn the “Chiefs” mascot as it dishonors their tribes, and support the change of our mascot," the Change.org petition reads.

"It is time for Canton High School and PCEP to be part of the change, to start eliminating the racial prejudices that occur on our campus, and become a more inclusive environment for all of our students" the petition continues. "We must do better and can be better, starting with the name change of the Canton High School's mascot, the “Chiefs.”

Patch has reached out to district officials for comment.

Discussion over the use of Native American tribes and caricatures has become increasingly prevalent in recent weeks amid the push to have the NFL's Washington D.C. franchise, the Washington Redskins, to change its name. The team is currently the Washington Football Team.

The Cleveland Indians of MLB have also discussed changing their name after previously removing a controversial mascot.

"We believe the Canton High School mascot needs to be re-evaluated and hopefully updated to a new name," the group said in an email. "The use of ‘Chiefs' as a mascot is not only offensive, but appropriation of Native American heritage.

"As the student leaders of Canton High School, we believe the change will benefit our student body. We strive to create an inclusive environment, and want all students to feel that their culture is being portrayed accurately."

A second petition was formed by another group of students in favor of keeping the Chiefs nickname.

"There are some that believe we should change our name and no longer be called the 'Canton Chiefs,'" the petition states. "They say the name is 'offensive' and 'outdated.' A chief (in Native American terms) is a high ranking member of a tribe.

"By definition a chief is a leader or a ruler. This should not be offensive because it can be a reference to Native American culture that allows that culture to live on."

The petition has 1,739 signatures out of its goal of 2,500 as of Monday afternoon.