A nearly century-old high school nickname in Northern California isn't going quietly. Marysville High School, long known as the "Indians," is pressing to hang on to the now-banned moniker by exploiting a loophole in the state's new Racial Mascots Act, SFGate reports. The law, which took effect last week, prohibits K–12 schools from using "derogatory Native American terms" as team names or mascots, with one big carve-out: schools can keep them if they secure written approval from a nearby federally recognized tribe.
Marysville officials say they've asked local tribal representatives for that sign-off—and came up empty. In a June 30 statement, the district said tribes opted to "remain neutral," offering neither support nor opposition and no written consent. Other schools have already resolved their mascots, with some dropping Native nicknames and others retaining them with tribal backing. The Lipan Apache Band has allowed Sanger High School in Fresno County to keep its "Apaches" nickname, and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians gave Palm Springs High School permission to keep its "Indians" name as long as offensive imagery and costumed mascots were removed.
Marysville High dropped its nickname and logo last week, hours ahead of the deadline, KCRA reports. The school says it isn't picking a temporary replacement and will keep seeking "written permission from a local, federally recognized tribe that would allow Marysville High School to retain its historic mascot under the provisions of state law." With no official deadline, the practical pressure point may be Aug. 28, when the football team is scheduled to open its season with, for now, no official nickname.
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
