2 Redwood Empire schools use Native American mascots

Two area schools are eligible for an offer from sports apparel giant Adidas, which has agreed to help schools nationwide drop their Native American mascots and redesign uniform nicknames and logos.

Only two local schools have Native American mascots, the Laytonville Warriors and Tomales Braves.

At those schools and others throughout the country - and at universities and with the NFL’s Washington Redskins - controversy has arisen over the use of Native American names, likenesses or caricatures as sports mascots.

Tomales High used to use an Indian brave’s head as its mascot, but no longer does. The school simply goes by THS, Athletic Director John McGurke said.

Laytonville’s Warriors logo includes a Native American man’s head in profile, with feathers in his hair.