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HONORABLE MENTION: PETER SANFACON

Posted on February 26, 2008 - Filed Under Honorable Mention |

Honor Indians Institute would like to honor Peter Sanfaçon. He is a non-Indian advocate for the elimination of racial stereotypes in the form of sports mascots, nicknames, and logos in high schools, colleges and universities, and in professional sports.

Peter now lives in Massachusetts, but he was born and raised in Rochester, New Hampshire, where he attended Spaulding High School during the 1970s. Since 1950 the nickname of Spaulding’s sports teams has been the “Red Raiders.” The current logo is a profile of a bright red-faced Indian man wearing two feathers in his hair.

On Martin Luther King Day in January 2006, Peter wrote to Spaulding principal Robert Pedersen and asked him if he’d consider changing the name and logo to something that wasn’t offensive. His reply was the standard “we feel we are honoring Native Americans.” After sending a subsequent letter to the school superintendent, the school board scheduled a public hearing April. During this hearing, residents were invited to voice their opinions. Only 60 residents showed up, but they were in unanimous support of the status quo, despite the 2002 resolution by the New Hampshire Board of Education calling for an end to “Indian” sports mascots at all N.H. public schools.

It was at this time that Peter launched the New England Anti-Mascot Coalition. His correspondence with Rochester School District officials continues and, as a direct result of this correspondence, beginning in the fall of 2007 Spaulding High School will offer a semester-long college prep course in “Native American Indian Studies.” Peter remains hopeful that the Rochester School District will continue local discussions regarding racism and racial stereotypes, and will take real responsibility for providing diversity education in Rochester.

Since the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s national organizations like the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the NAACP, the National Congress of American Indians, the Intertribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, and the American Indian Movement have each called for the end of the practice of using Native American cultures and religious symbols as sports mascots, nicknames, and logos.

In New England alone there are 95 high schools using names like “Indians,” “Warriors,” “Tomahawks,” “Redskins,” or “Red Raiders.” It is these 95 high schools that are the focus of the efforts of the New England Anti-Mascot Coalition. Since 2006, letters written by Peter and others who support this effort have been sent to school officials, local newspapers, and other news outlets throughout New England asking those in leadership positions to stand up for those who do not have a significant voice in this region. According to the latest U.S. Census, Native Americans and Alaska Natives make up less than six tenths of one percent of the total population of the six New England states (New Hampshire’s Indian population is just 0.2% of the state total).

It is his hope that by providing education to communities across New England, we can finally bring an end to an outdated practice and encourage school districts to start new traditions that embrace diversity and inspire students to become exemplary citizens and leaders within their community. Honor Indians Institute supports the mission of Mr. Sanfacon and NEAMC.

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