A Northern California high school is refusing to quietly surrender nearly a century of tradition after a state law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom forced schools across California to abandon Native American-themed mascots.
Marysville High School, a fixture in Yuba County for generations, officially lost the right to use its longtime “Indians” mascot when California’s expanded Racial Mascots Act took effect July 1. But school officials, alumni and community members are making it clear that this fight is far from over.
The law, signed by Newsom in 2024, expanded California’s earlier ban on the term “Redskins” and now prohibits public schools from using terms including “Indians,” “Braves,” “Chiefs,” “Chieftains,” “Apaches,” and several other Native American references unless the school obtains written permission from a federally recognized tribe.
Rather than immediately embracing a rebrand, Marysville officials announced they would continue seeking tribal approval in hopes of preserving the mascot that has represented the school for nearly 100 years.
“The Marysville Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees recognizes the deep history and tradition associated with the Indians mascot and acknowledges the strong connection many alumni, students, staff, and community members have to it,” Superintendent Jordan Reeves said in a statement.
According to the district, school officials met with local tribal representatives but were unable to secure written consent before the state’s deadline arrived. Reeves said tribal leaders have largely remained neutral on the issue and discussions continue.
For many residents, the debate is less about politics and more about community identity. Longtime coach and Marysville alumna Marcy Tarr told local media that the mascot was never viewed as an insult by generations of students.
“I do remember the Indian Way and how it was built (with) respect and (to) hold your head high,” Tarr said. “Indians were good leaders.”
Marysville is hardly alone.
Dozens of California schools are being forced to change mascots, logos, uniforms and branding under the statewide mandate. Some districts have already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on redesigns, new athletic uniforms, field repainting and signage replacement. Others are pursuing tribal agreements that would allow them to keep their traditional names.
Supporters of the law argue Native American imagery should not be used as school mascots and say the changes are long overdue. Critics counter that Sacramento is imposing a one-size-fits-all solution on communities where mascots were intended as symbols of respect rather than mockery.
For now, the familiar orange-and-black “Indians” logo has been retired from official use. But in Marysville, many residents appear determined to keep fighting for a name they believe represents their community’s history rather than its prejudice.
We’re talking about a school whose students, alumni and community members overwhelmingly viewed the “Indians” name as a source of pride and respect.
The key question nobody ever seems willing to answer is this: Who exactly was demanding the change?
Because when you read the local comments, talk to alumni and listen to people who actually attended the school, you hear something very different from the narrative coming out of Sacramento.
You hear affection. You hear tradition. You hear people talking about leadership, courage and community. What you don’t hear is outrage.
The modern political class has become obsessed with the idea that history must constantly be edited, updated and approved by committees.
Every few months there’s a new mascot to remove. A new statue to relocate. A new tradition to retire. A new word that suddenly requires government intervention. The irony is that many of the same politicians who preach about celebrating diversity seem remarkably uncomfortable with cultural diversity of thought.
If a local community wants to honor a tradition and a local tribe is willing to support it, why does Sacramento always seem determined to have the final word?
That’s the part people resent. Not because they hate change. Because they’re tired of being told that every decision about their hometown must be approved by distant political elites.
Somewhere in California, lawmakers looked at rising crime, homelessness, housing costs, water shortages and a state budget that routinely resembles a bonfire…
…and decided the urgent priority was a high school mascot that’s been around since Calvin Coolidge was president.
