Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Coxsackie-Athens Board of Education voted 6 to 3 June 17, to retire the Indians as the district’s mascot and team name. The decision was reached after months of meetings, a public forum, surveys and two conversations with a representative of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, the indigenous peoples who once lived on lands where the school district is now located. Those in favor of eliminating the mascot said it is derogatory to indigenous people while opponents to the change argued the mascot represented the district’s heritage and was seen as a positive symbol of strength and determination. Board member David Taylor introduced the motion to do away with the mascot. In addition, the district will add components to the curriculum to teach students about the history and culture of the indigenous peoples who once lived in the area. There was an effort made during the meeting to slow down the process and to delay the vote, but the majority of the board chose in favor of the plan. It will take time to phase out the mascot and its imagery, which is included on some athletics uniforms, in the gymnasium and elsewhere on the school campus. A new mascot and name has not been selected yet. Read more at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.