AUBURNDALE SCHOOL MOVES TO DROP NICKNAME
Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 -- 11:26 AM
The Auburndale school district has begun a process to change their Apache nickname.About two-dozen district residents attended an information session held by school officials last night. Also on hand were Harvey and Carol Gunderson, who led the fight against the Chieftans nickname and logo in the Osseo-Fairchild school district. They presented data showing the psychological affects Indian-based nicknames and logos have on Native Americans.
Auburndale graduate Charlie Gust was a senior the year the district adopted the nickname in 1960, he urged the community to move on?
"We're in a no-win situation (if we keep the logo)," he said, "when DPI says you're subject to fines if you don't change it. All we need is one complaint, and that complaint will come soon, certainly."
Auburndale School Board President Doug Reding said district officials will talk more about moving toward a new nickname at its October 27th meeting.
"The financial consequences of not acting are so overwhelming for a small district like this to simply wait around and get caught unawares is simply not appropriate," he said.
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