Gov. Janet Mills on Thursday signed into law a controversial bill banning the use of Native American mascots in all state public schools.
When the bill takes effect later this year, Maine will become the first U.S. state with such a ban.
[Maine tribal leaders urge lawmakers to ban Native American school mascots]
After hours of inflamed debate earlier in the session, the Legislature voted last month largely along party lines to support the proposal from Rep. Benjamin Collings, D-Portland. The bill, though it applies statewide, was aimed at Skowhegan, where residents have argued for years about whether to keep or get rid of its Native American mascot and nickname. The school board’s March decision would not prevent the district from holding a non-binding referendum to restore both, though that’s no longer possible under the new law.
“A mascot is a symbol of pride, but it is not the source of pride,” Mills said. “Our people, communities and understanding and respect for one another are Maine’s source of pride, and it is time our symbols reflect that.”
[Debate over Skowhegan’s ‘Indians’ mascot pits neighbor against neighbor]
“Today and [from] now on, it is our collective responsibility to the next generations to promote each other as equals, as individuals, and most importantly, as neighbors,” Newell said.
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This article originally appeared on www.bangordailynews.com.
