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Attorney General says “no” to keeping money from schools with Native American mascots

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Michigan’s Attorney General has weighed in on the school mascot issue.

Attorney General Bill Schuette says the state can’t withhold money from schools that use Native American mascots or logos.

Last February, the State Superintendent asked Schuette to weigh in on the issue.              

Native American groups have spoken out against mascots like the Redskins and the Chippewas. They say the mascots are offensive and make Native American students uncomfortable.

In the opinion, Schuette says there’s no rule or portion of the school code that lets the Superintendent keep money from schools as a penalty for their mascot.

Bill DeSessa is with the Michigan Department of Education. He says the Superintendent considered the penalty after multiple Michigan tribes raised concerns.

“The State Superintendent still encourages school districts that have Native American mascots and logos to use resources available in Michigan’s Native American Heritage Fund to defray the costs of changing their school mascot.”

Republican Representative Tim Kelly asked for the opinion. He says he’s happy with the result.

“It’s a First Amendment item. So, hopefully this will kind of end this debate.”

Native American groups have spoken out against mascots like the Redskins and the Chippewas. They say the mascots are offensive and make Native American students uncomfortable.