Bill to Ban Native American Mascots in Maine Passes House

The issue around using Native American imagery and mascots takes another step. Now, a bill to prevent Maine public schools from using mascots and logos with Native Americans has passed the Maine House.

According to the Associated Press the Democratic-controlled House voted 88-49 largely along party lines Tuesday to recommend the legislation. Democratic Rep. Benjamin Colling's bill faces further legislative action. The House passed an amendment to also extend the ban to publicly funded educational institutions like the University of Maine system.

The last high school to use such a mascot in Maine, Skowhegan Area High School, stopped using the mascot last month. Gov. Janet Mills and several tribal leaders have said such mascots harm Native Americans. Others have argued local boards should decide such issues.

AP also reported a handful of Maine schools had continued to use Native American-themed sports mascots in past years.