If MHS were open today - would we retain ‘Indian’ mascot?

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN more about the native Indians of Milford? CLICK HERE for a story written by high school students Shannon McDonald and Annemarie Tompsen and edited by Dr. George Barbiero, Milford schools history teacher. The story appeared in the 375th Anniversary of Milford Memorial Booklet published in 2014.

NY State bans ‘Indian’
names for its schools

In April 2023, New York state education officials voted to prohibit public schools from using Indigenous team names, logos or mascots. CLICK HERE for that story.

What do you think about the use of “Indian” images and logos? Is the following statement from former American Psychological Association President Ronald F. Levant true: "The use of American Indian mascots as symbols in schools is particularly troubling because schools are places of learning. These mascots are teaching stereotypical, misleading and too often, insulting images of American Indians.” Or do you believe that the movement to erase what others believe is a respectful tribute to Milford’s historical past has gone too far? How do you feel about the Milford High “Indian” logo? Tell us your opinion and send it to: allclassmhs@gmail.com and we’ll print it on this website.

Charlie Huchet, MHS Class of 1955, emailed us on May 5:

Dear Reunion Committee:

I know you guys are working very hard to put together a great All-Class Reunion but I am worried that the introduction of the issue of the use of a Native American logo into an event - which is meant to be a celebration - could be devisive. The topic certainly deserves debate and discussion but perhaps in a different venue.

Chris Carroll, MHS Class of 1974, replied to Charlie on May 6:

Dear Charlie -

I can certainly see your point and agree that the current political atmosphere we're in is particularly devisive. However, as the collective remaining alumni from Milford High School, I believe we are better than that and can have a "discussion" that is respectful and intelligent - and gives credence and respect to all sides of the issue.

I do think that IF our school were in existence today - and it's a shame that it isn't - as I think the city made a big mistake in eliminating our MHS-heritage name - But surely if Milford High were in existence today then I think it would be an issue, just like it’s been for such institutions as the Cleveland Guardians, Washington Commanders and others. 

Charlie Huchet, MHS Class of 1955, replied to Chris on May 6:

Chris - Thanks so much for taking the time and sharing your thoughts. My response:

I have become increasingly sensitive to the issue of how our forbearers (and up to the present) treated the American Indians starting when we set our first feet on this land - and how certain myths  about our relationship persist to this day and how self-serving our teaching of this history has prevailed in K-12 education - speaking as one who spent his professional career in education.

My "wokening" caused me to look back on the covers of the MHS Yearbooks for 1953 and 1955 (My Class!) in shame and shock. Please take a look. And I have read in my retirement, to some depth, the research-based facts of this treatment of our history.

I also know that there have been many more benign logos relating to American Indians in various other MHS materials. In other times, in my view , they might be perfectly neutral, acceptable, and even celebratory. In these hate-filled times however, when there so much prejudice expressed toward Jewish people, Middle Eastern, Asian, South Americans with more Indian heritage, and other people who do not fit the White western model, I fear the tendency to discriminate against anyone "different," even with "innocent" intent.

Chris Carroll, MHS Class of 1974, replied to Charlie on May 10:

You make some great points, Charlie, and I agree 100% with what you said. I’d be interested in seeing those yearbook covers you referenced above. And my Class of 1974 yearbook cover is above, left. I don’t think that that representation is even close to accurate with regard to the appearance of the original Milford native population. Maybe I’m wrong …

Charlie Huchet, MHS Class of 1955, replied to Chris on May 18:

“The depictions of the ‘Chief’ style full headdresses may by incorrect. They were worn by the Plains and Western Native Americans, I believe. The Eastern Native Americans (if you will!) did not use that style. This is not an important point except it does, perhaps, point up how the truth can become innocently distorted.”

Chris Carroll, MHS Class of 1974, replied to Charlie on May 19:

“And of course you’re referencing the many instances where a Milford High mascot logo shows an Indian in full headdress, which agreed is an innocent distortion on our part.”

Eugene Lisansky, MHS Class of 1972, joined the conversation on May 26:

“I have mixed feeling about this. I love the symbolism of "Indian" ferocity, generosity, and wisdom. Except that these people were not "Indians," they were native Americans whose tribes had actual names. They were part of the Paugussett Nation, an Algonquian tribe, one of many in Connecticut. So, yes, the name itself is inaccurate and potentially insulting. As for the symbology, I think a representation of a handsome (male or female) Native American can be a wonderful bit of historical memory. But depictions such as the grinning (leering?) cartoon "Indian" in Cleveland are among the worst ethnic stereotypes. So if MHS is ever restarted, the teams name should be the PAUGUSETTS, loud and proud! (On the other hand, we could just become the Milford Oysters, each student with a pearl inside ...).

Charlie Huchet, MHS Class of 1955, replied to Eugene on May 30:

“Eugene...the last thing we want to lose is a sense of humor!!! Thank you on all counts! If we became the "Milford Clams" the team could be called the "the Clammers," but I'm not sure what could be done about the mascots, either way. Considering what the Native Americans charged the Dutch for Manhattan proves that the owners had a sense of humor as well! More seriously, we agree that we should celebrate the positive aspects of our history through honoring and respectful acts.”

And courtesy of the Wayback Machine website, and a nod to Eugene Lisansky (‘72) for the research tip, there’s this opinion from our old Milford High website, mhsallclass.com, which was lost in 2021:

Fran LaKernick, MHS Class of 1966, submitted this in the Summer of 2015:

"No, the mascot should not be changed. It is part of the history of MHS and changing it for politically correct reasons would be wrong as it was never intended as an insult, but as an honor and still would be considered an honor today. You can’t erase the truth; it is what it is. I am proud we thought of our past in creating our mascot. It was all Indian land and heritage before we ever arrived. Keep the truth alive."

Charlie Huchet, MHS Class of 1955, replied to this thread on May 28, 2023:

“Many, I hope most of us, are still learning. Unknowing mistakes are made, even by adults. It seems that many subsequent depictions truly represent efforts to honor and show respect. Yet, we all know how the "road to hell" is paved. Learning is bested by falls. The pendulum sometimes swings too far. Passion can easily smother reason.

“Suppose we show our respect for the people who are the subjects of our concern.  Let's ask an appropriate Native American Connecticut-based tribe to comment or advise us of their view of the topic. Let us make this as educational as possible by requesting the city’s Board of Aldermen or Board of Education to form by resolution a committee (yes ... another!) comprised of some interested high school students, representatives from the Milford Historical Society, and other interest citizens. Their charge would be to identify the appropriate tribe, engage their interest in our question and maybe see if they could come to town for an open forum.”