With the recent passage of Assembly Bill 3074, which prohibits the use of derogatory Native American names, images, and mascots in California schools, local districts are assessing potential impacts on their mascots and symbols.

This new law mandates that schools across the state retire mascots and imagery that may be culturally insensitive or perpetuate stereotypes, and many educational institutions are now evaluating their mascots to ensure compliance.

In Gustine, the Unified School District Superintendent, Dr. Bryan Ballenger, confirmed that the district anticipates changes at Gustine Middle School. Currently, the school’s mascot, the “Braves,” falls under the scope of AB 3074. Although the district had previously addressed some imagery associated with the mascot, the legislation necessitates a deeper reconsideration, particularly of the mascot’s name.

“We do see ourselves needing to change the name of the mascot at Gustine Middle School as it specifically calls out ‘Braves,’” Ballenger said. “We have addressed the imagery, but we will need to address the issue of the name. We have some time to do this and will be looking at it in the spring.”

Meanwhile, the neighboring Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District has been evaluating the implications for its own mascot, the “Warriors,” at Orestimba High School. Superintendent Justin Pruett expressed gratitude for the community’s interest in understanding how AB 3074 might impact the district and shared his insights on the current status.

“As of now, the term ‘Warriors’ is not on the list to be banned, as all cultures have warriors,” Pruett explained. “Even in current times, our military can be referred to as warriors. We are looking at expanding our options for imagery and mascot.”

Pruett highlighted the rich history associated with Orestimba High School’s name, which originates from the word “Orestimba,” meaning “meeting place” in the Yokuts language. “The original location of Orestimba, meaning meeting place in Yokuts, was the meeting place for Mission padres and local Yokuts Indians. Later Orestimba was moved east for the railroad. The name changed from Orestimba to Timba,” he added.

To honor this history and ensure compliance with AB 3074, the high school staff has begun reaching out to the federally recognized Yokuts Tribal office. The new law allows for schools to retain Native American mascots if they receive permission from a federally recognized tribe. By engaging with the Yokuts Tribal office, Orestimba High School is taking steps to preserve its mascot in a respectful and culturally inclusive manner.

As local districts navigate the requirements of AB 3074, both Gustine and Newman-Crows Landing Unified School Districts are demonstrating their commitment to cultural sensitivity and community engagement. The upcoming months will involve further discussions and community involvement as the districts explore alternatives and adaptations that align with the spirit of the new legislation.