![New Bill in Augusta Aims To Ban Native American Mascots in Maine](http://townsquare.media/site/696/files/2019/03/State-House.jpg?w=980&q=75)
New Bill in Augusta Aims To Ban Native American Mascots in Maine
A bill sponsored by a Portland State Representative, if passed into law, would prohibit the use of a Native American Mascot.
LD 944 reads, "A public school may not have or adopt a name, symbol or image that depicts or refers to a Native American tribe, individual, custom or tradition and that is used as a mascot, nickname, logo, letterhead or team name of the school."
Maine recently made news when the Skowhegan School Board voted to no longer use a Native American mascot, becoming the last school with a Native American mascot to do so. That decision did not sit well with many residents, citing the long tradition of the mascot and claiming that it honors their heritage.
The community is now in the process of trying to come up with a new mascot for Skowhegan while those opposed are asking for there to a public vote on dropping the name 'Skowhegan Indians.'
This new bill sponsored by Rep. Benjamin Collins, a Democrat from Portland, would put the debate to a close if passed, by putting the ban in place.
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