Wayne Valley weighs 'spirit animal' mascot options
By: Philip DeVencentis
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
WAYNE - The school district is partnering wit a Native American organization for guidance on imagery and logos at Wayne Valley High School, five years after the tribal branding was criticized.
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The new partnership, however, will pose no risk o the high school nickname.
..... Schools Superintendent David Cittadino said the Indians will always be the Indians, adding that participation in the program offered by the Native American guardians Association supports the time-honored moniker.
..... The nonprofit, based near a reservation in Devils Lake, North Dakota, works with schools like Wayne Valley to shield their tradition from public backlash. the same organizing has collected thousands of signatures on a petition to return the name of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team to the Cleavland Indians.
..... "This is the best way to protect the name going forward," Cittadino said.
..... In another step to cement its Native American identity, Wayne Valley polled students on the selection of a mascot - a "spirit animal" - to complement the nickname.
..... Cittadino said the TRIBE Council at the high school, composed of student-athletes and upperclassmen, surveyed the student body on whether the mascot should be a bear, buffalo or eagle.
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A date has not been scheduled to unveil the official mascot.
..... The combined efforts come after some questioned the appropriateness of the Wayne Valley nickname and spear logo in June 202. a petition called for them to be replaced, and the Board of Education hired a diversity consultant to review the matter.
She found that a majority of people wished to keep them.
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The latest idea of a "spirit animal" mascot is accepted by many collegiate athletics programs and professional sports franchises. The Kansas City chiefs football team has been cheered on the sidelines by a loyal canine, named K.C. Wolf, for the past 35 seasons. It replaced a live hours, named Warpaint.
..... The organization does not condone depicting Native Americans as mascots. According to its website, :the M" word conjures up a furry costumed individual, which in no way is a respectful display of our culture."
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The organization did not respond to inquiry about school partnerships. Its website states what it is a "representative voice" for 90% of Native Americans.
..... Cittadino said paperwork was submitted to the Native American organization on December 16 [2025] to initiate the Wayne Valley partnership. He said there is no cost for the district to participate.
..... The website says the organization assesses Native American customs and symbols at partner schools. Then, recommendations are made.
..... If Wayne Valley agrees to them in writing, it will become a certified "center of excellence" for Native American education and could receive further services, such as advice on integrating related material into its curriculum and sourcing Indigenous people for speaking engagement.