California native tribe lashes out at high school in ‘Indians’ mascot fight

A California high school’s “Indians” mascot has plunged it into a fiery controversy after a federally recognized Native American tribe said school officials never got its permission to use the name.

Ripon High School in the Central Valley has been without an official mascot since July 1, when the state’s sweeping ban on tribal-themed school mascots took effect, according to KCRA 3.

But the Ripon Unified School District apparently believed it had found a way around the new rules by securing approval from someone who claimed to represent the California Valley Miwok Tribe.

But the tribe claims the permission was never granted.

“Ripon High School, nor any other school, has contacted the California Valley Miwok Tribe regarding the use of an ‘Indians’ mascot or any other Native American mascot,” the tribe said in a statement.

The tribe added that its Tribal Council “has not discussed, approved, authorized, or provided consent” for Ripon High School to continue using the mascot.

The tribe also accused the school district of using its name and identity without authorization.

The dispute centers on California’s Racial Mascots Act, which prohibits K-12 schools from using Native American-related names, nicknames and mascots, including terms such as “Indians,” “Braves” and “Chiefs.”

There is, however, a notable loophole. Schools can retain an existing mascot if they obtain formal, written approval from a federally recognized Native American tribe in their local area.

The district has not publicly explained how it came to believe it had received tribal approval. KCRA 3 reported that Ripon Unified had been contacted for comment but had not yet responded.

The controversy is not isolated to Ripon High School.

Marysville High School in Northern California also found itself caught in the mascot crackdown after the new law forced the school to officially ditch its “Indians” name.

But school officials aren’t giving up without a fight.

The Yuba County district has been pursuing the law’s tribal-consent exception in hopes of bringing the mascot back, according to FOX40.

The law, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2024, prohibits California public schools from using terms the state considers derogatory references to Native Americans for athletic teams and mascots.

Marysville officials have said they intend to continue seeking written authorization from a nearby federally recognized tribe.

According to the California State Geoportal, the closest federally recognized tribe to Marysville is Enterprise Rancheria, located south of Olivehurst.

“Marysville High School remains committed to honoring its proud traditions while continuing to serve students and uphold the long-standing values and expectations of the Marysville community,” school official Reeves told the outlet.

The debate comes as California continues to grapple with questions over Native American history, cultural identity and tribal sovereignty.

Newsom has also backed a major transfer of California coastal land to Indigenous groups.

A 136-acre stretch of rugged Mendocino County coastline is being transferred to Kai Poma, a nonprofit representing the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Round Valley Indian Tribes and Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians.