A mural at Marysville High School references the school's longtime "Home of the Indians" mascot. The district announced the mascot will no longer be used in an official capacity to comply with California's Assembly Bill 3074, which took effect July 1. Photo by MPG Staff

 

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Marysville High School will no longer use its longtime "Indians" mascot in an official capacity as California's expanded restrictions on Native American-related school mascots take effect.

Marysville High School and the Marysville Joint Unified School District announced June 30 that the school is transitioning away from the mascot to comply with Assembly Bill 3074, a 2024 state law that prohibits K-12 public schools from using certain Native American terms as school mascots, team names or nicknames. The law took effect July 1.

According to the district, Marysville High has used the mascot for nearly 100 years, making the change a significant moment for generations of alumni, students, staff and community members who have long associated the name with the school's identity and traditions.

Under AB 3074, public schools are prohibited from using what the law defines as "derogatory Native American terms" for school or athletic team names, mascots or nicknames. The law lists several terms, including "Indians," and allows limited exceptions. Schools operated by an Indian tribe or tribal organization are exempt. Other public schools may continue using a Native American-related mascot only if they receive written consent from a local federally recognized tribe.

Marysville Joint Unified School District officials said they sought that consent in an effort to retain the Marysville High mascot. According to the district, administrators met with local tribal representatives and requested support but were unable to obtain the required written consent.

Tribal representatives chose to remain neutral on the district's request, neither supporting nor opposing the continued use of the mascot, according to the district. Without written approval, Marysville High will no longer use the "Indians" name in an official capacity. At this time, the school has no plans to select a replacement mascot.

The district said it will continue pursuing opportunities to obtain written permission from a local federally recognized tribe that would allow the school to retain its historic mascot under the provisions of state law.

The transition comes as public schools across California respond to AB 3074 and evaluate long-standing school names, mascots and athletic identities affected by the law. For Marysville High, the change marks the end, at least for now, of a mascot that has been part of the school's public identity for nearly a century.

District officials said Marysville High remains committed to honoring its traditions while continuing to serve students and uphold the values of the Marysville community.