ATLANTA — November is a celebration of Native American heritage in our country. It's a time to recognize Indigenous people's history, culture and contributions.
A local state lawmaker is hoping to put an end -- to the use of Native American team names or mascots -- that people in the community call offensive and derogatory.
Metro Atlanta State Representative Kim Schofield is pushing for change at the State Capitol and sponsoring a bill prohibiting public schools from using Native American names, logos, or mascots.
Dr. Monika Ponton-Arrington, leader of Georgia Indigenous Diversity and one of the organizers at the East Point Pow Wow, said she feels like many people don't understand the history behind the images.
"Here in Georgia, as a Native woman, I've been called names," Ponton-Arrington said.
Ponton-Arrington said she would like public schools to include more education on Native American names and symbols.
"They use words like 'trail of fear' for banners for their football teams, not understanding the history of the Trail of Tears that happened to Native Americans," she said.
Ponton-Arrington worked with State Representative Kim Schofield on HB 646 to ban Native American mascots and other images from being used at schools that receive state funding.
"It looks like a cartoon character, and that's not who we are. We are lawyers. We are doctors. We are inventors. We are astronauts, teachers, scientists," Ponton-Arrington said.
In Georgia, 15 public schools use some tie to Native American Heritage in their mascots.
Rep. Schofield also sponsored a resolution recognizing Indigenous tribes and Native Americans' contributions to the state.
"If we are to recognize the historic value of Native American people and Indigenous people, then we have to start by being the example and removing these offensive and discriminatory mascots, logos, and team names from Georgia," Schofield said.