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NewsLake County NewsJuly 2, 2026United States

California Schools Must Remove Offensive Native American Mascots

A 2024 update to the California Racial Mascots Act requires all public schools to remove mascots and names deemed derogatory toward Indigenous groups. Schools are now required to consult with local tribal leaders as they transition to new identities.

educationcivil rightsCalifornia lawNative American affairs
Read the full story at Lake County News

Why It Matters

Public schools across California must change their names or mascots if they contain terms identified as derogatory toward Native American groups to comply with state law.

Key Facts

  • The deadline for California schools to comply with the updated California Racial Mascots Act occurred this week.
  • The law prohibits the use of culturally insensitive terms for Indigenous groups as school names or mascots.
  • Over two dozen California schools are named after Native American tribes.
  • Hundreds of California schools currently use terms blacklisted by the state for their mascots.
  • The 2024 update to the law mandates that schools must seek input from tribal voices during the transition process.
  • Thousands of schools nationwide reportedly utilize Native American-themed names or mascots.

Who's Mentioned

personLasherica Thornton“The author of the article.”organizationEdSource“The news organization that originally published the story.”otherCalifornia Racial Mascots Act“The state law governing the use of Native American-themed mascots in schools.”