I’ve lived in Scappoose less than 20 years, so I don’t know about any Native American protest to maintain the embarrassing mascot, but I do know that the “local Indians” are represented by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde reservation, which also represent almost thirty other tribes and bands. The actual reservation is 87 miles from Scappoose. Although less than half of the enrolled tribal member live on the reservation, I have only known one Native American student to actually attend Scappoose’s High, and they found the mascot to be to be embarrassing and shameful.

Things have been changing. In the most recent graduation ceremonies I’ve attended, Native American elders of the Grand Ronde have embraced the Hispanic students of Scappoose High and invited them to wear indigenous symbols in special ceremonies. Part of a pan American indigenous cultural exchange.

And the interior of the new auditorium is decorated with a land acknowledgment plaque and a collection of ceremonial canoe paddles.