Exciting news, we are near the end of the mascot re-branding process. After working successfully with the Grand Ronde Tribal Council to keep the “Braves” name, we have had an imagery re-design. With the help of Nike, we are near the finish line with the process. As part of the process, we will trademark our new designs. That will not limit anybody from having access to the digital templates, but will require businesses and people wanting to use the imagery to follow the designated designs that were developed by the Nike Graphic Identity Group. In order to have access to the digital imagery for use, we are putting a process in place for businesses and/or people to follow. Again, this is not to limit the use, but to protect all of the hard work that the Banks School District, Grand Ronde Tribal Council, and the Nike Graphic Identity Group has put in over the past year and a half. We cannot have people editing or changing the imagery in any way. This would be a violation of the agreement approved by the State Board of Education, the trademark, and will not be permitted.
Here is a summary of the process:
We will keep the community informed and meet with businesses who are requesting access to the new imagery. We will continue to work on finalizing the process, but want to make sure that the process is complete before releasing the digital imagery to our Banks School District supporters.
Thank you for your patience in this process,
Jeff Leo
Superintendent
Banks SD
Here is a summary of the process:
- 2012 – State Board votes to ban Native American mascots
- 2014 – Legislature passes law to allow school district to work with their local tribal representatives
- 2015 (Dec.) – Initial meeting with Grand Ronde Tribal Council
- 2016 (Jan.) – State Board defines guidelines for building partnerships
- 2016 (June) – Public hearing for five-year agreement with the Grand Ronde Tribe and to remain the “Braves” with new imagery
- 2016 (June – Present) – The Banks School District, Grand Ronde Tribe, and Nike Design Team begin and continue to work on the re-branding of the Banks “Braves”
- 2017 (Jan.) – Proposed imagery at open house which is attended by over 60 community members
- 2017 (May) – Working on the process to Trademark the new imagery. This will protect all of the hard work put into the process. It will not limit access to the imagery by businesses or community members, but guidelines will need to be followed.
- 2017 (August or possibly sooner) – Policy and process in place for gaining access to new mascot imagery and the guidelines to follow
We will keep the community informed and meet with businesses who are requesting access to the new imagery. We will continue to work on finalizing the process, but want to make sure that the process is complete before releasing the digital imagery to our Banks School District supporters.
Thank you for your patience in this process,
Jeff Leo
Superintendent
Banks SD