MetroWest Daily News
Thursday, February 15, 2007

Behind the name 'Redmen'

What does Redmen mean? The term was coined to describe the red uniforms worn 50 years ago. Some of those people still live in Natick. I have spoken to them. It has nothing to do with the Natick Praying Indians or any other Indians. The Praying Indians disappeared 300 years ago.

This new group numbers around 50 (I read that quote from their leader in this paper). Few if any of these people live or pay taxes in Natick. Why should they dictate what our nickname should be? There is no connection. The logo was never meant to depict them. It was then and still is a nationally recognized symbol of strength and pride. Why has this issue never come up before? The silence of the many local non-praying Indians speaks volumes. Either they do not care or approve.

This issue has been brought to our attention by a small group of people who have their own agenda. In a knee-jerk reaction to these people, the school committee has kowtowed because the race card has been played. The people who elected the school committee, the tax payers of Natick and the students, should make the decision on any changes that are in question.

The school committee was elected to represent us, not a small group of outsiders with their own agenda. People of Natick, read up and speak up. The banners and logos have already been taken down at the high school. This is our tradition—do not let it be taken so easily.

SCOTT DIXON,
Natick