{"id":24795,"date":"2018-03-20T14:37:52","date_gmt":"2018-03-20T18:37:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chescotimes.com\/?p=24795"},"modified":"2018-03-20T14:38:23","modified_gmt":"2018-03-20T18:38:23","slug":"residents-show-support-for-unionville-indian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/?p=24795","title":{"rendered":"Residents show support for Unionville Indian"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JP Phillips<\/strong>, Staff Writer, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>PENNSBURY \u2014 Approximately 70 people attended the Unionville Chadds-Ford School District board meeting, with many showing their support for the current Unionville Indian name and logo.\u00a0 Most appeared to be part of an organized group called \u201cSave the Indian Coalition of UCFSD Residents.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to a letter emailed to Superintendent John Sanville and all board members dated March 14th<\/sup>, the Coalition requested permission to make a 15-minute formal presentation during the meeting, with additional time for informal comments.\u00a0 (Board policy allows for a maximum 3-minute comment on non-agenda items at the end of the meeting.)<\/p>\n

Since this request was denied, members of the group took turns reading the presentation during the usual \u201cresidents comments\u201d section.<\/p>\n

The Coalition\u2019s presentation was mostly about the rights of citizens to free speech, even though some listeners might find that speech offensive.\u00a0 When something is said that is perceived as offensive, others may try to stifle those comments via insults or shouting them down (the heckler\u2019s veto).\u00a0 This limits the opportunity for everyone to have an open and honest discussion regardless of opinion.<\/p>\n

Based on the recent negative comments on social media directed towards both the students initiating the Indian discussion and community members opposing any changes, it appears as though a type of heckler\u2019s veto is being used by both sides.<\/p>\n

According to the Administration, students began discussing the Indian mascot last year and formed a formal group called \u201cThe Identity Council\u201d in December.\u00a0 The Coalition feels that they are being shut out of that conversation, and requested the district form a Citizen Advisory Committee on this issue.<\/p>\n

That request is denied at this time.\u00a0 With his opening remarks (linked at the end of this article), Board vice-president Vic Dupuis assured the community that no decision is being made, and it is too early to get the community involved.<\/p>\n

One community member disagreed, saying that changes have already been taking place.\u00a0 For example, the Indian head art that used to be on the gym floor is gone, as is the Indian head logo on sports jerseys and spirit-wear.\u00a0 Recently gone also is the \u201cchop song,\u201d performed at sporting events (also known as the tomahawk chop by Atlanta Braves fans).<\/p>\n

It was clear that the community members who spoke did not see the Indian name or logo as derogatory to the Lenni-Lenape people or anyone else; rather, it is viewed as an image of strength and courage and should be honored.\u00a0 According to a survey initiated by the Indian Post early in the year and publicized through the Unionville High School Alumni Facebook page, 71% of responding alumni supported keeping the Indian \u201cmascot.\u201d\u00a0 The survey plus essay responses can be accessed at the end of this article.<\/p>\n

One resident summed up the feelings of many.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s part of the community–it went back forever.\u00a0 It\u2019s how we identify ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the meeting, the Times<\/em> requested a statement on any communication between the Administration and the Lenni-Lanape Tribe.\u00a0 This was Sanville\u2019s response:<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the years we have had contacts with the Lenni-Lenape Tribe.\u00a0 This dates back to before I joined the district in 2007. Though because they are in Oklahoma, they have been by phone. In any event, they have provided guidance as to how we can honor them in a respectful way. They have indicated that certain icons and rituals do not respectfully honor them.\u00a0 They have stated that they are not a mascot, but people–and recommended that we could keep the Indian name but use a turtle or wolf as the mascot–both important animals to the tribe.<\/p>\n

“They have also agreed to work with our students to provide guidance and information as they discuss the matter. Below is a statement from the tribe\u00a0that provides further detail.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanville included a statement from the Confederation of Sovereign Nanticoke-Lenape Tribes sent last month to a UHS community member and shared with him, excerpted here:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Confederation of Sovereign Nanticoke-Lenape Tribes is an intertribal union of the two historically and genealogically interrelated tribal communities of Nanticoke and Lenape people remaining in the\u00a0region of the Delaware Bay.\u00a0 We hope this statement from the original people of the\u00a0region may serve to provide a perspective from those most affected by the use of such team names and\u00a0team mascots. We hope this will help to educate the decision-makers on the painful history of American\u00a0Indian\u00a0mascots, derogatory team names, and the stereotypes and psychological harm that they perpetuate.<\/p>\n

“Schools, sporting teams, and non-Native social organizations that use American\u00a0Indian\u00a0imagery and tribal names all too often tend to allow it to degrade into caricature and mocking. They will often incorporate wearing ceremonial regalia or performing ritual acts and behaviors that misinform the public, disrespect sacred items, and belittle our culture all in the name of ‘honoring us.’ Our children are often subjected to having their culture maligned by school mascots and derogatory team names and are then accused of being ‘too sensitive’ if they protest.\u201d<\/p>\n

More resources forwarded by the Confederation are available at the end of this article.<\/p>\n

Though the discussion of the Indian dominated the interests of many attendees, many other important items were presented at the board meeting.<\/p>\n

The board approved the updating of the fiber optics cable and network switches to the tune of almost $482,000.\u00a0 As board member Bob Sage noted at the March 12th<\/sup> work session, so much of education now happens over the internet.\u00a0 \u201cThis is a pretty big-ticket item for us, but it is \u2018essential plumbing\u2019 for the district to operate,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Retiring Pocopson teacher Effie Barnes shares a bittersweet moment with Principal Clif Beaver, reacting to student comments.<\/p><\/div>\n

Long-time Pocopson Elementary teacher Effie Barnes is retiring.\u00a0 Principal Clif Beaver read some wonderful tributes from her 8 and 9-year old students. \u201cYou teach us in fun ways.\u201d \u201cYou make me laugh like no other teacher.\u201d \u201cShe is the BEST math teacher.<\/p>\n

Two nurses, Tina Blakely (Unionville Elementary) and Stephanie Knight (Chadds Ford Elementary) received a standing ovation from the crowd for their fast and professional actions in two separate incidents that saved the lives of two students with life-threatening allergies.<\/p>\n

The suspension policy calling for a chance for rescission for first time offenders was approved for first read, with a vote in April.\u00a0 The new teacher\u2019s contract will also be voted on next month.\u00a0 Both these items were discussed during the March 12th<\/sup> work session<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Next Up:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Curriculum\/Educational Technology Meeting on Monday, April 9th at 4:30, and then the Work Session at 7:30.\u00a0 Both meetings take place in room 14 at the District Office, adjacent to the High School.<\/p>\n

All board meetings are open to the public.\u00a0 They are broadcasted live (and archived) on the UCFSD web site.<\/p>\n

Board documents:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.boarddocs.com\/pa\/uncf\/Board.nsf\/public<\/a><\/p>\n

Board Vice-president Dupuis\u2019 opening meeting remarks:\u00a0http:\/\/unionvilletimes.com\/downloads\/DupuisMascotComments31918.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

Indian Post alumni survey results as of their Jan\/Feb issue press time and comments on the Unionville Indian: https:\/\/lookaside.fbsbx.com\/file\/OpinionsJanFeb2018.pdf?token=AWwbR-fcRxzF85y-08wCVljVtYVKP6dX5EQLeM2vtwyDahjsrY3y0Ctbq691Q2DfZXlzbPtxeU63hMOFVjX2o-kbbB5aTP_OO4yPaVJueXLmK6lXKlOWfuUvLKgd0s7_wBDihhUKikJ26xRazJfMsucXlrtlWInN5-n0IT3NEuqbt84eNaxb1k0DiaNWvtygKvk<\/a><\/p>\n

Resources forwarded by the Confederation of Sovereign Nanticoke-Lenape Tribes:
\n\u00b7\u00a0http:\/\/www.ncai.org\/ resources\/ncai-publications\/ Ending_the_Legacy_of_Racism. pdf<\/a>
\n\u00b7\u00a0http:\/\/www.acet-online.org\/ home\/current-news-and-info\/ acetstatementonamericanindianm ascots<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By JP Phillips, Staff Writer, The Times PENNSBURY \u2014 Approximately 70 people attended the Unionville Chadds-Ford School District board meeting, with many showing their support for the current Unionville Indian name and logo.\u00a0 Most appeared to be part of an organized group called \u201cSave the Indian Coalition of UCFSD Residents.\u201d According to a letter emailed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24793,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[3063,6269,10069,10230,1565,615],"class_list":["post-24795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-budget","tag-featured","tag-mascot","tag-retirements","tag-schools-2","tag-unionville-chadds-ford-school-district"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24795"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24795\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24796,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24795\/revisions\/24796"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24793"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}