Another viewpoint on this issue.... In most cases, using Native American names or criteria in a school mascot can be done in a positive manner. This question was posed to those living in the Penobscot Nation (about three miles from UMaine), and a good majority had no problem with it, calling it a "pride thing." This includes such names as Chiefs, Braves, and Tribe. All of these are presented in a positive manner. Redskins is another issue, though. Comedian Chris Rock (formerly of Saturday Night Live, currently a 1-800-COLLECT spokesman) once said that's "like calling a team the New York Niggers." Funny how we've become desensitized to this word. Funnier how we've become over-sensitized to other positive Native American names. I admit that I prefer River Hawks to Chiefs, but there was nothing wrong with the name Chiefs. I don't understand the need to change Redmen (St. John's) to Red Storm. A Redman is not necessarily a Native American, just someone representing St. John's while wearing red (like Syracuse's Orangemen wear orange). I thought this change was silly. If you're going to change your name, please change it to something better. UMass-Lowell did this; St. John's did not. In fact, UMass was known as the Redmen at one time, but changed it to a Minutemen, which is a better reflection on the state of Massachusetts. Aside from Redskins, I have a personal objection to Indians, but not for racist reasons. Indians is a misnomer that Columbus (who we now know was no role model) placed upon the natives of this land, because he thought he had landed in India. Indians are from India. Native Americans have ancestry here. That's part of the reason that Siena College changed its nickname from Indians to Saints. Of course, that doesn't stop the Cleveland Indians, whose team was named after Louis Sockalexis, of the aforementioned Penobscot Tribe. This team is using the name in a very positive light. It still bugs me, though. Semantics, I guess. I am bothered even more, though, by how sensitive we've all become over using Native American names. I may not come from such ancestry, but I know an honorable name when I see one. The Seminole Nation absolutely loves Florida State honoring them with its nickname, for that nation sees it for what it is: a tribute to the local people who were there long before the school was. If the Seminoles can see it in that light, then why can't the rest of us? +====================================================================+ |\ Jim Baines [log in to unmask] M M |/ Orono, Maine, U.S.A. MM MM \ |\ University of Maine Class of 1989 M MM M \|/ GO BLACK BEARS! M M HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.