A California high school is embroiled in a controversy over its "Indians" mascot after a federally recognized Native American tribe stated that school officials never obtained its consent to use the name. Ripon High School in the Central Valley has been without an official mascot since July 1, when California's new ban on tribal-themed school mascots took effect.
The Ripon Unified School District had reportedly secured approval from an entity claiming to represent the California Valley Miwok Tribe. However, the tribe asserts that this permission was never granted.
"Ripon High School, nor any other school, has contacted the California Valley Miwok Tribe regarding the use of an ‘Indians’ mascot or any other Native American mascot," the tribe said in a statement. The tribe added that its Tribal Council "has not discussed, approved, authorized, or provided consent" for the school to continue using the mascot and accused the district of using its name and identity without authorization.
The dispute arises from California's Racial Mascots Act, which prohibits K-12 schools from using Native American-related names, nicknames, and mascots, including terms such as "Indians," "Braves," and "Chiefs." The law does include a provision allowing schools to retain existing mascots if they obtain formal, written approval from a federally recognized Native American tribe in their local area.
The district has not publicly detailed how it came to believe it had received tribal approval, and KCRA 3 reported that Ripon Unified had not yet responded to requests for comment.
This situation is not unique to Ripon High. Marysville High School in Northern California also faced repercussions from the new law, forcing it to officially retire its "Indians" name. School officials are pursuing the law's tribal-consent exception in an effort to reinstate the mascot. The Yuba County district is seeking written authorization from a nearby federally recognized tribe.
California’s Racial Mascots Act, signed into law in September 2024, bans the use of terms considered derogatory references to Native Americans for athletic teams and mascots in California public schools. Marysville officials have stated their intent to continue seeking written consent from a local federally recognized tribe.
According to the California State Geoportal, the closest federally recognized tribe to Marysville is Enterprise Rancheria, located south of Olivehurst. Marysville High School official Reeves told FOX40 that the school "remains committed to honoring its proud traditions while continuing to serve students and uphold the long-standing values and expectations of the Marysville community."
The debate coincides with broader discussions in California regarding Native American history, cultural identity, and tribal sovereignty. Governor Gavin Newsom has also supported a significant transfer of California coastal land to Indigenous groups, including a 136-acre stretch of Mendocino County coastline being transferred to Kai Poma, a nonprofit representing the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Round Valley Indian Tribes, and Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians.