SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — A new bill in the California Legislature looks to ban schools from using Native American names or stereotypes as their school mascots.
San Diego State Assemblymember David Alvarez introduced AB 3074, known as the California Racial Mascots Act, which, if passed, would amend current law by adding such names as "Apaches, Big Reds, Braves, Chiefs, Chieftains, Chippewa, Comanches, Indians, Savages, Squaw, and Tribe," according to the bill.
If passed, more than 100 schools statewide, six of which are in San Diego County, will adopt a new mascot and school name by the end of the 2026 school year. That means that for current sophomores at some local high schools will have a new mascot by the time they walk to get their diploma.
San Diego Assemblymember David Alvarez says it is time to evaluate the use of these names and to include local Native American communities in the discussion.
"There's a historical perspective that Native American community represents and that we should make sure that our young people, our students are not seen mascots or caricatures of this historically significant group of people or our state," Alvarez told CBS 8.
In San Diego County, the six schools with Native American-themed mascots include:
- - Clairemont High Chieftains - San Diego Unified
- - El Cajon Valley Braves - Grossmont Union
- - Montgomery High Aztecs - Sweetwater Union High
- - MAAC Community Charter Eagle Warriors - Sweetwater Union High
- - Potter Junior High Braves - Fallbrook Union Elementary
- - Fallbrook Union High Warriors - Fallbrook Union High School
While researching the bill, Alvarez said there were Native American-inspired mascots in San Diego County and throughout the state than he initially suspected.
"I was surprised to see that throughout the state there are these names related to Native Americans...This is a way for us to be able to have those conversations between communities as to whether this makes sense or not."
CBS 8 reached out to San Diego Unified to comment about Clairemont High students potentially having a new mascot by the start of the 2026 school year.
In its response, a spokesperson for the district told CBS 8 that it is prepared to move forward. "The district and the Clairemont High School community are aware of the pending legislation. Led by students, Clairemont High will work with its school community to comply with the bill should it become law, in a way that is inclusive and reflects the values of the school. The district encourages civic engagement around issues that impact school communities."