Dartmouth high school logo facing controversy, community members divided

Town voters will decide on the logo through a referendum with a vote on April 5.

DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WLNE)- Dartmouth High School has bolstered a controversial name that has found more controversy over a potential name change.

The “Dartmouth Indians” logo was designed in 1974 by Clyde Andrews, a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah.

Sean Carney, Andrews nephew and fellow member of the tribe, explained why he believes the school uses the logo with honor.

“You don’t see it at half court, you don’t see it at the 50-yard line, you don’t see it in the end zone, you don’t see it anywhere it would be stepped on,” Carney continued.

“When you wear that Indian logo on a your football helmet, just by putting that on you’re not being held to a higher standard. When you’re wearing that logo, we expect you to lose with grace, and win with dignity.”

Edith Andrews, a fellow member of the tribe explained the same sentiments, “Everyone is too eager to erase the Indian, I just hope that we can keep our symbolism there which is not a symbol, but an icon.”

Others believe that the name should be change and believe the logo is demeaning.

“All Native American mascots, including your Dartmouth Indian mascot, should be retired” explained Shawna Newcomb of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe during Tuesday night’s Equality and Diversity Sub-Committee meeting.

“As a tribe with past and present ties to Dartmouth, we the Pocasset are asking that the Dartmouth Indian logo be removed,” said Megan ‘Running Dear’ Page of the Pocasset Wampanoag tribe. “For us, this is about so much more than a logo or mascot. Its use to Dartmouth High School is to symbolize the strength of the sports teams, the warrior strength.”

“We feel that the Dartmouth Green Indian head doesn’t represent who we are, what we have been through, or the challenges the indigenous people still face.”

Town voters will decide on the logo through a referendum with a vote on April 5.