The Indian mascot used by the Owego-Apalachin School District soon will be history due to a New York state ban on names viewed as potentially insensitive to Native American cultures.

The Board of Regents on Tuesday voted unanimously to bar the use of such mascots, nicknames and imagery by the state's school districts.

Owego-Apalachin and other affected school districts were informed of the draft regulation five months ago.

School district representatives did not respond to requests for comment on when a new nickname will be selected or the timeline they plan to use to comply with the new rule.

A sign supporting the "OFA Indians" was posted outside an Owego home on February 19, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A sign supporting the "OFA Indians" was posted outside an Owego home on February 19, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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As of last fall, about 60 New York state school districts were using names that would need to be changed under the proposed regulation.

While several districts already have moved to comply with the directive, Owego-Apalachin has not announced its plans.

Last month, the Cayuga Nation rejected the district's request for permission to continue using the "Indians" name.

A reader of the Owego Pennysaver offered suggestions for a new school nickname. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A reader of the Owego Pennysaver offered suggestions for a new school nickname. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Hundreds of people - including Owego-Apalachin residents - have commented on the matter with remarks posted to the district website. Many have made it clear they oppose dropping the nickname. But others have said it's something Owego-Apalachin should have done long ago.

State aid could be withheld from school districts that choose to disregard the new regulation.

This Owego "Indians" item was being sold in a village store on March 5, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
This Owego "Indians" item was being sold in a village store on March 5, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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