In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law to end the use of Native mascots in Minnesota public schools. All districts and charter schools were instructed to consider mascots and potential connection to this legislation.
According to the legislature, “American Indian mascot” means a name, symbol or image that depicts or refers to an American Indian Tribe (or any connection to); an individual, custom or tradition that is used by a public school as a mascot, nickname, logo, letterhead or team name of the district or school within the district.
GFW began using the Thunderbird mascot when the district was formed in 1992. The Thunderbird is a legendary creature in particular North American indigenous peoples' history and culture and is considered a supernatural being of power and strength. Several tribal nations have a connection to the thunderbird including Algonquian, Ojibwe, Menominee, Siouan, Ho-Chunk, and more.
We are now surveying our community on their thoughts on what the mascot for GFW Public Schools should be called. The logo will stay the same but the name will be changing, so make your voice heard before the survey closes on May 3.