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9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This joint resolution of the Legislature addresses the use of names, images, and symbols
12 of Native Americans and other indigenous people.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 ▸ expresses support for the appropriate use of names, images, and symbols of Native
16 Americans and other indigenous people by schools or places; and
17 ▸ discourages removing names, images, and symbols of Native Americans and other
18 indigenous people from schools or places.
19 Special Clauses:
20 None
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22 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23 WHEREAS, Utah has a long history of positive contributions of Native Americans and
24 American Indian tribes in the state;
25 WHEREAS, there are schools or places within the state that use names, images, or
26 symbols of Native Americans or other indigenous people;
27 WHEREAS, use of these names, images, or symbols can be authentic, appropriate, and
28 accurate when used carefully with cultural sensitivity;
29 WHEREAS, there are over 500 different tribes in the nation with varied cultures,
30 histories, beliefs, languages, and dialects that should be accurately reflected when names,
31 images, or symbols are used by schools or places in this state;
32 WHEREAS, there are Native Americans who want to preserve positive names, images,
33 or symbols that give tribute to American Indian culture;
34 WHEREAS, a national Native American entity, the Native American Guardian's
35 Association, represents the sentiment of the silenced majority of individual Native peoples
36 whose voices have been suppressed and ignored by activist forces and supports the appropriate
37 use of Native American names, imagery, or symbols promoting the phrase "educate not
38 eradicate";
39 WHEREAS, as demonstrated by a 2019 survey of individual Native Americans that
40 compliments a 2016 poll conducted by the Washington Post finding that 90% of Native
41 Americans are not offended by the Redskins nickname, a significant number of individual
42 Native Americans have no problem with or support the respectful use of Native American
43 names and imagery in sports;
44 WHEREAS, schools or others using names, images, or symbols of Native Americans or
45 other indigenous people can be educated, including by local Native American tribes, on how to
46 use these names, images, or symbols in non-offensive culturally appropriate ways; and
47 WHEREAS, the contributions of Native Americans to the state should be
48 acknowledged:
49 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the state of Utah, that
50 the Legislature supports the appropriate use of names, images, or symbols of Native Americans
51 or other indigenous people by schools or other places.
52 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, discourages
53 removal of names, images, or symbols of Native Americans or other indigenous people by
54 schools or other places, unless after a careful and effective public process, the appropriate
55 government entity determines that there is a consensus amongst the affected individual Native
56 American or other indigenous people that a name, image, or symbol should be removed.
57 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Native
58 American Guardian's Association, the Utah League of Cities and Towns and the Utah
59 Association of Counties for distribution to all their constituents, each school district in the
60 state, and each institution within the State System of Higher Education listed in Section
61 53B-1-102.