Unbeknownst to the Osage Nation, Arkansas State University's mascot, the Indians, was loosely based on the tribe for their "fighting spirit" when they warred on neighboring tribes during the 1800s. Now that the mascot is set to be retired, the tribe is the university.

"We are pleased Arkansas State University [1] has joined the noble fraternity of schools that have chosen to honor Native Americans by not using their image or names as part of their schools mascots. We encourage them to find more appropriate ways to connect with the Indian community through education," Osage Nation [2] Principal Chief Jim Gray said. "We hope that the last days of the mascot are respectful and thoughtful about the new approach toward racial sensitivity."

According to an ASU press release, the Indians mascot [3] and the "Indian Family" were taken from the heritage of the state of Arkansas from the Osage tribe. The head of ASU's "Indian Family" is named Chief Big Track, after a "legendary" Osage chief.

There was in fact an Osage chief named Cashesegra or Big Track, according to the historical journal, Chronicles of Oklahoma.

"We have no knowledge nor have given any permission to use our image or name in promotion of a school's mascot," Gray said. "We look forward to a new relationship with [ASU] and to the day when Native Americans and their image are no longer misused in this manner."

The retirement ceremony and celebration will take place at halftime of the men's basketball game between Arkansas State University and University of Louisiana-Monroe Thursday night at the ASU Convocation Center in Jonesboro.

The ceremony concludes a year-long project centered on directives from the NCAA which declared that educational institutions with Native American nicknames and imagery would not be allowed to use the names or imagery in postseason competition.

"We have taken enormous strides to do everything in our power to not offend anyone," said Markham Howe, ASU director of university relations. "This is a farewell celebration for the alumni and our fans."

The "Indian Family" is a trio of students attired in what the school calls "authentic Native American wear." Dressed in buckskins, war bonnets and facial paint, the three students walk to the middle of the arena and raise their right arms to the "four directions" as the crowd applauds, said Richard Carvell, director of broadcasting at ASU and chair of the committee to coordinate the retirement ceremony for the "Indian Family."

According to Carvell, the retirement ceremony will feature each member of the "Indian Family:" Chief Big Track, the Indian Princess and the Indian Brave; each will place a "memento" at mid-court before leaving with the lights out in the arena. The ceremony will also include a tribute video.

The Indians mascot and the "Indian Family" have represented ASU as the school's athletic nickname since 1931. The school's previous mascots were the Aggies in 1911 (sometimes called Farmers), Gorillas in 1925 and Warriors in 1930. The Indians will stay on as the school mascot throughout the spring sports season before giving way to the Wolves in the fall.

This story originally was published by the Osage News [4] and is used with permission.