Community debates how to solve the headdress issue

The school administration is mailing a letter to all households stating that the PTSA will be forming a Heritage Committee that will partner with the Boosters, Alumni Association, administration and community. The purpose of this committee is to explore ways that will honor the traditions of Linganore High School.

In the letter, signed by the PTSA President, the Alumni Association President, and Linanore’s principal, the authors recognize that the community needs to work together.  “Our collective job now is to seek a unified path forward. We must also strive to remember and recognize that the way we present Linganore’s Indian/Native American heritage has evolved throughout the past nearly 56 years to accommodate changing times, desires, needs, and concerns. We must continue to work toward a means that accurately reflects our values while paying homage to our school’s Native American roots.”

This committee is the result to six weeks of argument and commentary about the right to wear the Native American headdress.  The protest was strong enough to lead to a large group making public comment at the September Board of Education meeting.

At sporting events, Linganore’s spirit squad “the Tribe” paint up to spell out several phrases such as “Roll Tribe,” or simply “Go Lancers.”

For years the Tribe has been a key part of sport outings as they lead their fellow students in cheering at athletic games. At the end of every year, the leader of the Tribe (@TheLHSTribe) for the following year, The Chief, is chosen through a voting campaign on Twitter.

Starting Wednesday, August 30, Principal Nancy Doll confirmed that students would not be able to wear headdresses at sporting events. Petitions swarmed social media as students tried to save their tradition. Petitions on the side for the permanent removal of the headdress began to surface, too.

According to Alex Ismael’s 2013 story, School Mascot-Offending or Honoring?, controversy regarding Linganore’s mascot started years prior, as early as 2002, when Mr. Richard Regan, then member of the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Indian Affairs, filed a complaint against Linganore, saying that Linganore’s use of the mascot “makes a mockery of American Indian people, destroying the self-esteem of American Indian school children” and “promotes racial stereotypes.”

During that time in 2002, many individuals in the FCPS community didn’t agree with the statements made by Regan.

Although the students are divided, some at Linganore don’t believe that the use of the headdress is an insult to Native American culture. Senior and tribe leader Jacob Garwood said, “We take a lot of pride in this tradition, and it means a lot to us. I hope there is a way we can work something out so we can keep the tradition but allow everyone to feel welcome.”

A similar point of controversy has been brought up before, however. The name of the Washington Redskins has been at the helm of speculation nearly 25 years ago. The use of ethnic mascots have often been under fire.

In 2012, the Oregon State Board of Education voted to ban all Native American nicknames, mascots, and logos.

The use of Native American inspired mascots in America has gradually declined, as more people become aware of the racism and prejudice surrounding the issue. In the high school setting, however, thousands of Native American mascots exist across the country according the The Frederick News Post.

While the headdress may be gone, students have the rare opportunity to start a new tradition. Though it may be difficult to let go of old traditions, this is an opportunity for current Lancers to say that they started one that may last for decades to come.