SALAMANCA, N.Y. -- It was a moment that Seneca Nation leaders say didn't come soon enough. The Lancaster School Board decided on Monday to retire the "Redskins" mascot,
"It was certainly a proud day as a Seneca and a Native American. The school board is certainly to be commended," said Seneca Nation COO Michael Kimelberg.
"It's a very strong sign of leadership that they were willing to do that," said Suzanne John-Blacksnake, assistant to the Seneca Nation President.
The moment hasn't been as sweet as Nation President Maurice A. John, Sr. expected.
"What struck me most was the young children, the young adults that were hurt," said John.
Crews worked Tuesday to remove a spray-painted version of the word Redskins from the school's sign, and Thursday, more than 200 students protested the decision. John said he gives them credit for taking a stand, and that, in a way, he can understand why they did it.
"I was 16 years old, and we lost 10,000 acres. That's a lot more than a school name, but I know pain," said John.
Part of that pain is wrapped up in what the word "redskin" can mean. Some Senecas said it's connected to violent images of scalping stereotypically associated with Native Americans.
Throughout the debate, community members said they never thought of it or used it in a negative way.
"It seems like the central argument in support of keeping the name was to respect, honor the tradition of the school," said Kimelberg. "It needed to be, I think, thought about in a broader context."
That's where Rick Jemison, a Seneca Nation Council member, says an opportunity may have been missed. Jemison says Senecas who could speak about tribe history, as well as student athletes who boycotted Lancaster teams, should've been brought in to sit down and talk students instead of keeping them out of the decision process altogether.
"I think the whole key to the whole thing is understanding each other, and that's the piece that's missing. That's the teachable moment that we need to embrace right now," said Jemison.