Superintendent sets record straight on school nickname debate
No more Indian? Not so fast, says Gundersen
According to Pascack Valley Superintendent Erik Gundersen, the only change currently in the works is that the school will start to move away from using the Indian head logo.
Looks like the Indian is here to stay, for now at least.
Despite the recent rumors going among the Pascack Valley community, changing the Indian mascot is not something that the administration is discussing at this time, according to Pascack Regional High School District Superintendent Erik Gundersen.
Over the summer, word spread around the student body that the administration was to change the name without the input of the students. This resulted in an outpouring of anger, mostly on social media, from people who opposed the change. Naturally, supporters of the change appeared and stated their opinions as well.
Then came the petition. Based off these rumors, former Pascack Valley student Jimmy Alburtus started an online petition against the administration, demanding a vote. The petition reads, “It has come to our attention that [the Indian] is being changed by the PVHS administration without a proper debate or discussion and a vote from the student body, alumni, and community.” The petition has over 1,100 signatures, and has clearly rallied the public in the exact way it was intended, as a number of students have shared the link over social media. Naturally, a counter petition was also created, in effort to support the possible change.
Truth is, after all of the dust settled, all of these rumors were not grounded in actual fact. According to Gundersen, the mascot is not something that the Board is discussing at this time, and there has been “no movement” towards changing the Indian. Gundersen and the administration have talked with some school groups about the name, but that has been the extent of their action. If anything, the recent outcry against changing the name may have helped pushed the issue into the administration’s view. Even then, do not be expecting the name to change anytime soon, says Gundersen.
Still, the district has not been completely inactive on this front over the summer. Gundersen and the Board have taken one minor administrative action. The initiative is to gradually change the emphasis from the Indian head logo to the PV block letters. This is done primarily in places such as letterheads, which go out to colleges and elsewhere. The purpose of this move is to avoid conflict wherever possible, and to keep the focus on the school rather than the mascot. Gundersen called the action a “good compromise” for the moment, as it lessens the amount in which we see the potentially offensive logo, while still retaining it. In fact, Pascack Hills underwent a similar situation not long ago, generally phasing out their own “Pistol Pete” logo.
Those who oppose the change say that the Indian is a symbol of pride and bravery, and is used in a positive light by the school. Others note the history of the Indian mascot at Pascack Valley, as it has been utilized by the school for 60 years. They note the countless sports events, school merchandise, and the well-known chant (“We are the Indians/the mighty mighty Indians”) as evidence of the good that comes out of the logo.These people say this name and logo combination have been embraced by the community and engrained in the school’s culture, and “political correctness” should not change what has always been the logo.
We use the mascot of an Indian because The Indians were brave warriors. Nothing more to it. We have been, and always will be The Indians.
— Conor Kimball (@ConorKimball) August 12, 2015
too many over sensitive people here, the pv indian is a symbol of our school and not meant to be racist by any means, SMH — Keith Doherty (@keithdoherty26) August 12, 2015
On the other hand, many argue that the Indian is racially intolerant, and is a crude reminder of the massacre of Native Americans over time by those who moved to the new world and stole their land. The name “Indian” is also a misnomer for natives, and the logo is an offensive and stereotypical Native American with a Mohawk. Some went on to argue that no group of people should ever be represented by a sports team or school.
Truly disappointed in every classmate signing that petition who is failing to recognize how offensive the mascot is
— jenna (@jennatracyy) August 12, 2015
Why are people signing the “We are the Indians” petition? Indians is not the proper name, nor is it appropriate to use a culture as mascot. — Alex Dragon Lord (@AlexPearson44) August 12, 2015
So where did all of these rampant rumors we have been hearing throughout the summer come from, exactly? The criticism is likely triggered by recent national debates surrounding sports teams such as the Cleveland Indians and Washington Redskins. Another possible explanation lies in the recent #PeaceInPV scandal that occurred in the spring. Apparently, outside media who covered the story were the first to comment and bring the mascot issue to light. Many used it as an example of the alleged racial intolerance that was going on at PV. Gundersen noted that one media source in particular was shocked that we used the “racially charged” Mohawk logo in this day and age. Specifically, when the Anti-Defamation League visited PV, it found this as an area of concern as well.
As for the petitions and student outrage over social media, Gundersen believes that there are better ways to let the administration know one’s point of view. Surprisingly, even with the controversy raging on, Gundersen said he has not received one phone call or letter from a student or member of the community to state their opinion all summer.
This is not the first time that the mascot has come under fire. Back in 2004, the school faced an almost identical controversy. At the time, the administration responded with an official forum where students on both sides presented their arguments. It ultimately resulted in a vote of the students and faculty, with 67 percent voting in favor of keeping the mascot.
Rest assured, the Indian will continue to live on throughout the 2015-16 Pascack Valley School year, as it has been made clear a change is not on the Board’s agenda. However, with the conversation started this summer, expect the debate to continue and many to voice their positions. Gunderson said if the Board were ever to take a look at the mascot, he would expect it to weigh the students’ and community’s opinions heavily.
A couple students took a different angle on this topic, and their tweets stood out. They chose to take a bigger-picture view, downplaying the controversy and commenting on what they feel PV is really about.
If we weren’t the Indians, I would still meet great friends, great teachers, and have the same great school. We are more than a name.
— Drew Aral (@Drew_Aral) August 12, 2015
I’m proud to be a student at Pascack Valley, regardless of whether we’re the Indians or not next year — Owen R (@Oros2480) August 12, 2015
Donna Lieberman Bialkin • Sep 7, 2015 at 3:38 pm
I graduated in 1983 as a very proud Indian. I was a varsity cheerleader, and stood on the sidelines crying every time our team was losing. School spirit is an incredibly powerful bonding force, and I will always be an Indian. I have taught at Westwood High School for 19 years, and though I proudly root for the Cardinals, I am NOT a cardinal – I am an Indian … a mighty mighty Indian, and very proud of that identity. It is meant to invoke power, strength, and sense of belonging; it is certainly not meant to offend anyone.
Going forward, I believe that new schools should avoid adopting any names and mascots that might be considered offensive, but to erase 60 years of identity for thousands of students, faculty, and community members is wrong.
William M. Edelmann {PV'79} • Sep 7, 2015 at 12:09 pm
I graduated as a proud Indian, and a concerned citizen of the Pascack Valley community and the American nation.
The argument against the silhouette, the name & mascot has always been the agenda if one just reads the words of Superintendent Gundersen in the initial posting at NorthJersey. com. In that story, he is quoted as referencing the changes he wants. Further in, the story references a 2012 graduate, Brenna Gradus, started the original petition with 150 supporters, citing her discomfort & desire to change the mascot.
The story by Andrew Wyrich posted on September 2, quotes Gundersen as saying, “Depending on who you are communicating with, they may find it offensive. We need to be conscious of other people’s responses to images of what the mascot looks like. I think just as a lot of districts, professional teams and collegiate teams, your logo evolves over time to be more reflective of the needs and sensitivities of your community. No one has come to any board meeting to talk about the team name. The board is the only organization that could really authorize that. I can say what my wishes are, students can say what their wishes are, but really, it comes down to the Board of Education making a decision.”
If Gundersen is making letterhead changes and planning to gradually make equipment changes, then we know his wishes or the command of his superiors – one or the other.
Regardless of the dismissive tone by Gundersen, a petition by Gradus was her effort to allay feelings of resentment by some she met in the west. Gradus said, “The vast majority of the native people do find these kinds of mascots offensive, whether it’s the Redskins or the Indians or the Warriors, and I think that is what it comes down to. It’s more urgent to address hurting an entire culture of people than it is to sustain a high school mascot. It seems so obvious to me.”
So, with a community of 10,000+ alumni around the world, and some 30,000 current or recent residents in the Pascack Valley, Hillsdale & Rivervale, these two individuals’ own wishes & wills were what we would be left with had the ‘uproar’ of healthy, respectful debate not been heard. While times, people & leadership change, a society’s own values, respect & morality live on in its arts, works, culture & traditions. When a leadership accedes to the self-importance of any minority, it breaks the bonds of that culture and weakens the fabric of that society.
Brian Kenny • Sep 7, 2015 at 9:32 am
I’ll buy the letterhead removal argument as it relates to correspondences with institutions of higher education, but if that is the case, why not just remove it? That’s done simply enough. Why remove from sports uniforms? Why was there an article written in The Record when letterhead removal could have been done w/out making a production about it? What I see is an obvious connection between the unfortunate events of late last school year, and the desire to quell the grievance industry and those who buy into their warped world view. The PV Indian logo is either a sacrifice to be offered to this “grievance cult” publicly, or something the current administration believes should be changed, whether for political expediency, or because they, like the “grievance cult,” believe in some strange way can make right on the misguided students engaging in racism last June. When the issue with the students happened at the end of the school year, my first thought was, “they are coming for the Indian,” and sure enough here we are in September. Lastly, anyone with a brain knows that once the proud PV Indian logo is officially removed, it’s only a matter of time before the name change is foisted upon us.
John Markert • Sep 6, 2015 at 4:00 pm
Generally I found the Superintendent’s written position balanced, except maybe the not so subtle reprimend for not writing a letter to him in favor of expressing opinions via social media.
The Indian community should be proud that an educational institution is named in honor of the Pascack Indians, and it likely is. Since the school is named for an Indian tribe, it is logical that the school continue to respectfully associate itself with various Indian attributes. One such attribute is the well known bravery of the Indian Warrior. The Indian head logo has been criticized for being “stark,” which is what a Warrior should look like. I appreciate that we need to be receptive to the changing morality of our culture, and while this is not easy for aging alumni, we should periodically question the proper use of promotional materials. Perhaps minimizing the logo on various communications, such as to Universities, is a reasonable strategy, That being said, the continued use of the “stark” logo in school athletics, I believe, should not only be tolerated but endorced by the BOE.
Brian Kenny • Sep 3, 2015 at 11:28 am
“Apparently, outside media who covered the story were the first to comment and bring the mascot issue to light. Many used it as an example of the alleged racial intolerance that was going on at PV. Gundersen noted that one media source in particular was shocked that we used the “racially charged” Mohawk logo in this day and age. Specifically, when the Anti-Defamation League visited PV, it found this as an area of concern as well.”
I’d be curious who the “media source” was who Superintendent Gundersen references. At the time of last year’s “WP” incident and subsequent issues, one might have guessed after making the papers, the “grievance industry” was going to sink their rabid teeth into the PV Indian mascot. So now the Indian logo is but another pelt on their wall . . .
Heather Pelkey • Oct 1, 2015 at 12:42 pm
Well said Brian! It is funny that we grew up and I don’t ever recall anyone being offend by our mascot or logo!
What do remember is people taking pride in our mascot, our logo and our school. To this day I take pride saying I graduated from PVHS! I wasn’t offended by my school but proud!
Maybe instead of people being so offended by Indians take a good look at their race they are a PROUD race…. Just like alumni from PVHS is PROUD to say they are PASCACK VALLEY INDIANS THE MIGHTY MIGHTY INDIANS!
Valerie Mattessich • Sep 2, 2015 at 8:16 pm
Thank you for your balanced, clear coverage of an issue that was raging through the PV rumor mill! Now we should all be clear as to where this issue stands.