Grand Rapids, Deer River mascots here to stay after Leech Lake gives OK

CASS LAKE — The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Tribal Council unanimously granted the Grand Rapids and Deer River school districts permission to keep their mascots at its Wednesday, July 16, meeting.

The Grand Rapids Thunderhawk and Deer River Warrior were under threat after a 2023 state law banned American Indian mascots.

Schools originally needed unanimous approval from all 11 of Minnesota’s federally recognized tribes and the Tribal Nations Education Committee to keep a mascot that violated the law. But new legislation passed earlier this year modified the exemption process. Only the nearest tribal nation now has to grant permission.

Grand Rapids Superintendent Matt Grose and Deer River Superintendent Pat Rendle presented to the Council, covering their mascots’ histories and efforts to ensure respectful representation. Both districts' American Indian Parent Advisory Committee supported keeping the mascots.

The Council approved the measure with little discussion. District II Rep. Steve White, who represents Bena and Boy Lake, was absent.

“Kinda pretty straightforward, yeah. I think it’s appropriate we keep the names that’s been a part of the school program for these years, and yeah, I don’t have any concerns about it,” said Tribal Chairman Faron Jackson Sr. after the superintendents finished.

“I think it’s a school decision. I appreciate you kind of consulting with Leech Lake or keeping us all in the loop about that.”

In 2023, Deer River decided to not file an exemption and instead remove the spear and feather from its logo. But at its July 14 meeting, the School Board voted to reverse that decision, bringing back the original logo.

According to the district, the Warriors name has been around for decades. In the ‘90s, the school removed imagery involving a headdress. In the mid-2000s, it gathered input from the local community on new imagery and selected the spear-and-feather logo.

“Deer River Schools has long valued its relationship with the Leech Lake community,” Rendle said in a news release. “We appreciate the Band’s thoughtful consideration and their continued support for our students and families.”

The Grand Rapids Thunderhawk was determined to be in violation of the law because of its apparent reference to Chief Thunderhawk, a companion of Sitting Bull in the 19th century. But the district said the name is the combination of two popular options — the Thunder and the Hawks — when the district changed its name from the Indians in the ‘90s.

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Grand Rapids School District

The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community approved the school’s 2023 exemption request. The White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Lower Sioux Indian Community and Tribal Nations Education Committee denied it.

Both districts observed what they described as “inconsistencies” in the application of the law, and Grand Rapids delayed making a mascot change.

“We're grateful for the Leech Lake Band’s leadership and their willingness to engage in a respectful, community-based process,” Grose said in the release.

“This decision reflects the kind of partnership that honors both local control and tribal sovereignty.”

The district said it also had support from the Iron Range Council of White Earth.

“This decision reflects the value of collaboration and honors the intent of the law, which rightly recognizes tribal sovereignty and the importance of local relationships,” Jackson said in the release.

“We appreciate that both districts have engaged with us in good faith and shown a real commitment to supporting American Indian students and honoring our culture.”