The school district in Oxford has decided, per the vote, that they'll no longer purchase or sell apparel and equipment with the Indian head logo as well. The district will retain its capital-T as a logo.
A school district spokeswoman told media that the final board meeting preceding the vote was "long and difficult" but that the vote came after months of discussions about whether or not the name and logo were disrespectful to Native Americans.
“All of the board members were united in their desire to do what is best for students in Talawanda," the spokeswoman said, "and impressed upon everyone that finding ways to come together is important.”
Oxford is also the home of Miami University, which dropped its "Redskins" mascot in 1996 and thereafter have been known as the "Red Hawks." The university is named after the Miami Tribe, which occupied western Ohio, Indiana and southwest Michigan until their forced removal to Oklahoma in the 1800s.
In January, the Cleveland Scene tabulated the total number of Ohio high schools with Native American mascots. Talawanda was one of 79, and one of six with the "Braves" mascot.
