Two important deadlines are upon us. Please take time tomorrow morning before noon, to register to provide comments in support of the Mass Indigenous Legislative Agenda’s top priority bill this session, S.312/H.575 – An Act prohibiting the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth, (Comerford/Fluker-Reid), using the link provided below.
The hearing will take place in front of the Joint Committee on Education on Tuesday, June 17th, beginning at 1 pm at the State House, or virtually. You must sign up in order to provide supporting comments, and please remember that public input is critical to the passage of legislation.
Register to testify in support of S.312/H.575 either in-person or remotely, by completing this form before 12:00 p.m. on Monday, June 16.
Also, please take time to submit your ideas or sketches for a new state flag, seal and motto by Wednesday, June 18, at noon. This has been a 50-year struggle, and we are finally in sight of the goal. Again, the number of design ideas and submissions will be treated as an indication of public support for the long-awaited change to our racist state flag, seal and motto. Go to the website of the Massachusetts Seal, Flag and Motto Advisory Commission to find the link to submit your ideas and/or sketches for a new state symbol: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-seal-flag-and-motto-advisory-commission
For inspiration, view the recording of the June 15th Native American Indian Center of Boston’s comprehensive Design Jam for a new state flag, seal and motto, here: https://youtu.be/EthW_Tg2pwc
It is time – way past time – to Change the Flag and Seal of Massachusetts and to ban the use of racist Native Mascots in the approximately two-dozen public school districts in the Commonwealth that obstinately refuse to retire them, despite overwhelming evidence that Native mascots cause harm both to Native and non-Native students. A few minutes of your time tomorrow can help achieve both of these crucial initiatives in support of Indigenous rights in Massachusetts.