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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Volunteer security? Thanks, but no thanks ... From the Council: Public should get involved in local marijuana decisions ... Save a life: How to help someone who's contemplating suicide ... Our View: Volunteer security? Thanks, but no thanks ... From the Council: Public should get involved in local marijuana decisions ... Save a life: How to help someone who's contemplating suicide ... New rules about Native American mascots will be vetted Comment By Kate Stringer Roseburg News-Review MailTribune.com By Kate Stringer Roseburg News-Review Posted Feb. 25, 2015 at 4:44 PM By Kate Stringer Roseburg News-Review Posted Feb. 25, 2015 at 4:44 PM --> HOW TO COMMENT Want to attend the public hearing or give feedback on the administrative rules? Email comments to [email protected]. The hearing will be at 9 a.m., Friday, Feb. 27,... » Read more X HOW TO COMMENT Want to attend the public hearing or give feedback on the administrative rules? Email comments to [email protected] . The hearing will be at 9 a.m., Friday, Feb. 27, in Basement A of the Public Service Building, 255 Capitol Street N.E., Salem. To view the proposed administrative rules, see http://bit.ly/1Dn84hp » Social News The issue of Native American mascots in Oregon public schools will return to the limelight Friday during a public hearing in Salem regarding newly proposed administrative rules. The public can comment on the first draft of these rules, which are available online. The rules were created by a 20-member work group selected by the Oregon Department of Education in response to Senate Bill 1509. The bill, which passed in 2014, allows districts to enter into written agreements with local Native American tribes in order to let schools use mascots that are significant to the tribes. The bill was a response to a 2012 ruling from the Oregon Board of Education that prohibited Oregon public schools from using Native American names, symbols or images as school mascots. This meant 15 high schools and an unknown number of middle and elementary schools, would have to change their mascots by 2017. Public comments on the proposed administrative rules will be collected until April 8, said April Campbell, Indian education adviser at ODE. No decision will be made at the Friday hearing. Comments will be presented at the April 9 state board meeting, Campbell said. “What’s significant about this is the extended comment period,” Campbell said. “We’re really making an effort to engage the public and various stakeholders to get their input prior to having the final draft before the State Board of Education.” In Douglas County, these rules affect Roseburg High School (Indians), North Douglas (Warriors) and Reedsport Community Charter School (Braves). In Jackson County, the rules affect Rogue River (Chieftains). ODE is still collecting recommendations from the nine Oregon tribes. The tribes were invited to be part of the work group, but because not all of the tribes attended, Campbell said ODE will continue to seek their input. The current draft of the rules is lengthy, with some rules subverting others. For example, the rules prohibit mascots such as Redskins, Savages, Indians, Indianettes, Chiefs, Chieftains and Braves. But another rule says a school may use a mascot that represents a local tribe if the school enters into written agreement with that tribe. “The agreements are going to be with the tribe itself and the school district, so it will really be up to both of those entities to determine what the name and potential image would look like,” Campbell said. Local and tribal leaders hail Roseburg as being ahead of the game because the school has already opened a dialogue with the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians. The tribe’s spokeswoman, Susan Ferris, remembers when a group of students approached Cow Creek about 15 years ago to see how the tribe felt about the school’s mascot. “Decisions will have to be made, but I think the amiable relationship the tribe and the district have made will serve them well,” Ferris said. She has never heard complaints, she said, about the Roseburg Indians mascot from members of the Cow Creek offices. Superintendent Larry Parsons said he will be attending the public hearing along with Roseburg High School Assistant Principal Larry Rich. “We’re going to attend to follow through with the process to make sure the recommendation for change follows what the Senate bill says,” Parsons said. Roseburg Sen. Jeff Kruse (R) sponsored bill 1509 last year. He’s seen the draft of the administrative rules and is “95 percent confident” that Roseburg will get to keep its mascot. “In the case of Roseburg School District, all that will be required is a document to be signed between the school district and the tribe, and everything will stay as is,” Kruse said. “Roseburg’s ahead of the game. Most school districts have not had those conversations with their tribes yet.” Kruse said for most other districts the issue resides with the image versus the name. “The feather is very generic,” Kruse said. “I challenge anyone to find an orange feather in nature.” Reach reporter Kate Stringer at 541-957-4208 or [email protected]. By Kate Stringer Roseburg News-Review MailTribune.com By Kate Stringer Roseburg News-Review Posted Feb. 25, 2015 at 4:44 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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