Cedar High seeks community input over controversial mascot

CEDAR CITY, UTAH – The Iron County School Board has organized a committee to review the mascot at Cedar High School in the Iron County School District.  The committee of 28 future students, current students, staff, alumni, tribal leaders and parents will study the use of Redmen as the school’s mascot.  The name originated in 1943, selected as a way of representing the many Native Americans that live there.

Over the years, mascot names such as Redmen, or Redskin, have been thought of by some as racial slurs in communities around the country, according to a statement released by the Iron County School Board late Wednesday night.  The local Native American Tribe, The Cedar Paiute Tribe of Utah has not specifically requested a name change but is supportive of the district’s review of the name.

Public meetings will be held December 4th and December 18th at Cedar High School at 7:00 pm. For those wishing to provide input that are not able to attend the public meetings, an email account has been set up to receive input for the committee and school board at mascot@ironmail.org.