Clark Intermediate School will retain its "Chieftain" logo after the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians gave Clovis Unified permission to use the mascot. (GV Wire Composite)
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Clark Intermediate School will retain its long-time mascot, “the Chieftain,” after the school district worked with the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians to get the depiction approved.
California law requires all public schools from using Native American mascots unless it gets approval from a local, federally recognized tribe, according to a news release from the district.
On Friday, the district’s governing board received authorization from North Fork Rancheria Vice Chairperson Fred Beihn.
“I’m grateful for deep conversations this process has allowed us to have with our Native American community and the community at large,” said Clovis Unified Superintendent Corrine Folmer.
“This dialogue has deepened our understanding of how important it is that we honor and respect our local Native American history and the symbol of wisdom, leadership, resilience, and community unity in our Chieftain mascot.”
Alternatives Considered for Clark Intermediate Should Mascot Be Denied
After Assembly Bill 3074 passed in 2024, Clovis Unified considered the future of the mascot and a possible alternative should the approval not be reached, the release stated.
The law exempts public schools operated by an Indian tribe or tribal organization. It also provides compensation for some costs in rebranding.
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