Members of EMU's Native American community spoke at today's scheduled Board of Regents meeting regarding President Susan Martin's decision to keep the Hurons logo on the university's band uniforms.
The logo was originally changed in 1991 from the Hurons to the Eagles. Martin resurrected the Hurons logo in 2012. After an incident in April involving students dressed in Native American garb who verbally and physically attacked an elder member of the Native American community, EMU's Native American Student Organization met with Martin and U.S. Justice Department officials to discuss the removal of the logo.
According to an article by The Detroit News, Martin refused to remove the logo.
Members of the community spoke at today's regents meeting to address their concerns with the decision.
"You repeatedly use the same excuses to keep the logo despite our reasons why those excuses hold no ground," said Christopher Sutton, a senior at EMU and treasurer of the NASO. "This logo hurts us."
According to Sutton, when asked to change the logo, Martin said "It is what it is."
Other speakers included Karen Schaumann, an EMU alumnus and an ex-faculty member and Linda L. Cypret-Kilbourne, the co-founder of the Michigan Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media.
After the speakers finished, members of the community rallied outside, singing, speaking and burning sage.
"This rally is to bring attention to a 25-year-old fight," said Daví Trusty, an activist in the Native American community. "Susan Martin should be ashamed for not consulting or caring about her Native students. I hate that I'm back fighting past fights."
"I'm here to support in solidarity with the Native American community," said Dar Mayweather, director for the Center of Multicultural Affairs.
