A highschool's Native American–themed sports activities mascot has been suspended after a efficiency went viral on TikTok.

Anderson Excessive College in Anderson, Indiana, not too long ago found the viral clip, which was shared on TikTok late final yr. In it, college students will be seen performing in Native American garb previous to the beginning of a basketball recreation, WTHR 13 Information reported.

The Anderson Neighborhood College District initially defended the mascot, describing it as an homage to Chief William Anderson, the Unalatchgo Lenape tribal chief after whom the city is known as. After the Delaware Tribe of Indians urged the college to hearken to its issues, nevertheless, the choice was made to droop the usage of the mascot, whose design had been in use for 70 years.

"We're being portrayed by a 10-second TikTok video, with out that context, with out that understanding," Brad Meadows, a spokesman for the Anderson College District, informed WTHR 13. "And so, what we would like to have the ability to present to the tribal management is a whole understanding, a whole historical past, every little thing we've got accomplished and proceed to do to honor our Native American heritage. I feel that is been the important thing message all alongside—is that we're not ignoring this. We're not brushing it below the rug. We actually do wish to have these tough conversations."

indiana school high school mascot
An Indiana highschool has suspended the usage of its Native American sports activities mascot after it was the topic of a viral TikTok video final yr. Above, a person maintain a button at a protest towards Native American imagery in sports activities mascots.Mark Simons/Getty Photos

In response to Meadows' remarks, Chief Brad KillsCrow of the Delaware Tribe identified that the routines and outfits utilized by the mascots weren't correct to Anderson or the Lenape individuals. Moreover, he steered that the district wanted extra schooling about native Native American cultures and customs.

"The college system has uneducated themselves on this situation," KillsCrow informed WTHR 13. "I feel that is the place the issue lies. We're not pointing the finger at Anderson. We might politely ask to cease utilizing the mascot. I really feel our voices have not been heard. I have been informed, 'We have to discuss to our stakeholders first. We have to do that earlier than we ever change,' and I am sitting right here telling you that is our tradition, our individuals, our youngsters are seeing this on TikTok."

KillsCrow spoke additional concerning the claims that the mascots "honored" the native Native American historical past. He steered that the district as an alternative erect a statue of Anderson, put up a portray or embrace extra native Native historical past in its curriculum to honor Chief Anderson. In contrast, he described the mascot as "a mockery earlier than a recreation."

Anderson is positioned roughly 40 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

Newsweek reached out to Anderson Neighborhood Colleges for remark.