Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana leaders say a sign referring to the Trail of Tears displayed during a recent football game between the Oberlin Tigers and Elton Indians was disrespectful and demeaning to Native Americans.

A sign reading “Hey Indians Get Ready for a Trail of Tears” was displayed by students from the Oberlin school during the game Sept. 25.

Coushatta Tribe Vice Chairman David Sickey said a majority of tribal leaders, including himself, were offended and in shock over the reference to a “tragic, dark chapter” in Native American history.

Tribal members sent certified letters, along with an email to School Superintendent Michael Doucet, School Board members and Oberlin High Principal Tonya Ryder on Oct. 1 seeking an official, written apology from the board for the racially insensitive sign. The letters also asked the School Board to stand up to and speak out against cultural bias, whether deliberately intended or otherwise.

Similar letters were also sent this week to State Superintendent of Education John White and the U.S. Attorney General’s Office.

Doucet, who emailed a letter of apology to the Coushatta Tribe on Tuesday, said the sign was not meant to offend, but to promote school spirit and a team victory. The sign was intended to mean that if the Oberlin Tigers won, their opponents, the Elton Indians, would be left crying, he said.

“Unfortunately, due to the lack of historical knowledge of the Oberlin Tiger cheerleading squad, the recent verbiage in reference to the Trail of Tears uprooted many emotions that still currently exist in the nation of our Native American neighbors,” Doucet wrote in his letter to the Coushatta Tribe.

Trails of Tears refers to the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans following the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Many died during the long journey west. Speaking on behalf of the Coushatta Tribe, Sickey said the issue goes beyond just a sign.

“I think this is a bigger issue here,” Sickey said. “What is the curriculum at the school, and what are they teaching kids at school, particularly when it comes to Native American history?”

There are 34 Coushatta youths enrolled in Allen Parish schools, including three at Oberlin High, he said.

“But it isn’t just an issue about Native Americans,” Sickey said. “It is about humanity as a whole. There is a lot to be learned from this incident, and it is an opportunity to educate our students.”

“It is not our intention to downgrade any race,” Doucet said. “Our goal is to educate our youth and do the best we can. We plan to take this mishap and use it as an opportunity to educate our students.”

The sponsor of the squad had the cheerleaders research and write two paragraphs about why the sign’s language could be offensive.

Schools usually place signs throughout the stadiums during football games to mock their rivals, but this is the first time a sign has caused a problem, Doucet said.

“We are going to take advantage of the matter and change the process in the way many signs are used to ensure that they only correspond and relate to our teams,” he said.

(MGNonline)