Grand Rapids & Deer River Mascots Approved to Stay

Schools originally needed unanimous approval from all 11 of Minnesota's federally recognized tribes.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Back in 2023, a state law was passed that banned high schools from using american indian mascots.

That put schools such as Grand Rapids and Deer River in limbo for a possible mascot name and logo change.

Two years later and the schools finally have an answer.

In a Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Tribal Council on Wednesday night, the council unanimously granted the two schools permission to keep their mascots, the Thunderhawks and the Warriors.

Schools originally needed unanimous approval from all 11 of Minnesota’s federally recognized tribes.

But with new legislation passed, only the nearest tribal nation now has to grant permission.