March 8, 1993 - The Indian tribes are known for their endurance, bravery, strength and ferocity. By invoking the tribal name, it is hoped that the team will be endowed with these characteristics

1993 Letters to the Editors that present several of the excuses we often hear about why Native American-themed mascots should remain:
  • ‘A good luck charm’  -- The paranoia arising from the use of Native American mascots by school and/or professional sports teams is mind-boggling. Everyone is offended by something, and the list of those who could view any mascot as offensive is endless. Have we heard from the animal rights activists, lest we forget we could exploit the jaguars, cougars, lions and tigers and bears? Oh my! Or the Audubon Society for the use of birds’ names… as mascots. Or the VFW and American Legion for the use of Patriots. Come on, folks, get a life! I see the use of these great mascots as flattering to their history and existence. Let’s accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative (to quote an old lyric.)
  • …. The cost of changing -  (It would cost up to $60,000 to replace the uniforms, signs and gym floor at Seneca…) 
  • “Shawnee High School’s mascot is an accurate representation of a Native American’s head…. The only thing that banning the use of Indians as mascots will accomplish is the sterilization of our society.”  - Keith Smith
  • "It is not intended as a demeaning or derogatory gesture but quite the reverse; it is a compliment meant to honor the tribe whose name is used…. The Indian tribes are known for their endurance, bravery, strength and ferocity. By invoking the tribal name, it is hoped that the team will be endowed with these characteristics.” 
1993 The_Courier_Journal_Mon__Mar_8__1993_

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