As many of you know, I am for saving our logo and name, but unlike the opposition I feel we have a plan that allows for us to retain our history and promote Native American culture.
The name and logo are part of the history of this town and its school teams, and we identify with them. Our connection to them can be seen in our yearbooks, where the name Peske-Tuk is proudly displayed, and as with the class of 1957, which so beautifully wrote a dedication to those same people.
Our connection and respect is undeniable.
Changing the name and logo won’t bring clean water, electricity or better schools to Native Americans. It won’t stop domestic abuse or alcoholism or even bring jobs.
It won’t scratch the surface of any of the issues facing them today. … But it sure will make a few do-gooders feel like they have righted the world’s wrongs.
For a day.
Fact is, this won’t make national news, and no paper outside of Franklin county will report it. This is about us, all of us in our community.
I believe that if you eradicate the name and logo, you will also be further removing the Native American history that it helps connect to this town. I suggest that instead of eradication, we begin the process of education. Let’s teach our schoolchildren about the real history of all the people that lived in this area. In fact, the good, the bad and the ugly … all of it.
Let’s take on a sister school from a reservation, let’s look at ways we may be able to promote better living conditions, education and free and open sharing. If we can do that, we will have built something that won’t just be a victory for a day: it will be a victory for generations to come.
We have the opportunity to start something here that other communities will copy. A chance to make a statement about who we are. Divided on an issue but unified by the results.
Christopher Pinardi
President, TFHS Class of 1985