The La Conner School District has adopted a new mascot.
They’re still the Braves, but with a war eagle replacing a Native American in a headdress.
One of Coupeville’s primary athletic rivals has a new mascot.
Honoring the wishes of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, the La Conner School District has replaced a Plains Indian wearing a feather headdress with a war eagle designed by a member of its alumni.
Jeanette Quintasket, a tribal member who graduated as part of the Class of 2018, crafted the image which topped 38 submissions.
When House Bill 1356 was implemented, it banned the use of Native American names, symbols, or images by public schools.
An exception could be made for school districts whose enrollment boundaries include what the law terms “Indian Country.”
The Swinomish approved La Conner retaining use of the Braves name for its sports teams, but requested the outdated logo be replaced.
The submissions were voted on by students, staff, alumni and community members.
Quintasket crafted her design with an eye on her heritage, she told the Skagit Valley Herald.
“I am Swinomish, so in our culture, the eagle is our guardian,” she was quoted as saying. “It represents our spiritual connection to our ancestors.”
The new mascot was officially approved at Monday’s school board meeting, with Quintasket honored for her creativity.
The La Conner school district and the Swinomish have a long history together, dating to the early 1900’s, when tribal children began attending La Conner schools.
Current numbers from the state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction list 34% of La Conner students as Native American.
Two of five school board members are Swinomish tribal members, while Superintendent Will Nelson is also Native American.
While using the Braves name for its sports teams, La Conner also incorporates the moniker in other ways, with the district motto being “Be brave.”
District schools have worked to keep Swinomish tribal heritage as a vital part of their curriculum, with drumming, carving, and Lushootseed language classes offered to both tribal and non-tribal students.
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