Drop the ‘s’ on Braves, or find a new BHS name?

By Reed Anfinson
Since 1945, Benson High School sports teams have been known as the “Braves.” Now, due to state legislation that makes the use of Native American names, logos, or mascots illegal, BHS is faced with making changes.
As the District 777 Board of Education studies how it will come up with a new name and logo for Benson Public Schools, there are three approaches it can take.
It can proceed with a low-cost option of minimal change, a medium level of change with a higher cost, and finally, the most expensive option of complete makeover.
Changes over the past four decades have already stripped away much of the Braves imagery and historical link to the region’s Native American past.
Benson school’s use of the Braves name and Native American imagery was challenged in the 1980s, leading to changes. At the time, Benson was one of more than 50 schools using names such as Redmen, Mohawks, Indians, Braves, Chiefs, Arrows, and Warriors.
These schools used symbols, mascots, costumes for cheerleaders and band drum majors, and school letterhead that depicted Native Americans. Opposing schools would use sports signs in demeaning ways toward the teams with Native American names when they competed.
By July of 1989, the district had removed the Indian headdress logo from its school newsletter as well as all its envelopes and letterhead. It had also removed the large American Indian with a headdress emblem in the gymnasium.
It started education programs for its students on respecting Native American culture and reached out to other schools the Braves competed with in athletics asking them to also show respect.
In 2000, the school faced another brief challenge when it received a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union demanding it drop its use of the Braves name. By this time, there was little left to tie the team name to Native American culture.
The case led to further review of the steps the district was taking to ensure respect for Native American culture.
Today, all that remains of any symbolism tied to Native American culture is the capital letter B with a feather draped over it. The Braves maroon and gold colors have no ties to Native American culture.
However, the Braves name was the biggest remaining issue and must be addressed, according to the state.

For more on this story, support community journalism and subscribe to the Swift County Monitor-News.