To the editor:

Tuesday’s vote to maintain the Dartmouth logo, and the preceding debates, clearly indicate two mandates : the logo will remain and an historically accurate depiction of the indigenous tribes and their encounters with the immigrants to this area must be the subject in all Dartmouth school lesson plans.

The state legislature may  invalidate, and supersede, any local decision as regards the logo in the forthcoming years.

But, in any event, and hopefully encouraging to all opponents or proponents, there will be an inclusion of the history of the settlement and development of Dartmouth. And it would certainly go a long way to healing the significant rift that has occurred if included in that history would be attention to those logos, slogans and mascots that have been removed in other towns, teams and commercial products.

It is essential to understand the pain and insult that has been inflicted upon indigenous tribes by the use of exaggerated features and gestures, war implements, whooping calls, and face painting that has occurred at sporting events or political rallies in other towns and states.

Even those residents and members who spoke on behalf of retaining the logo, claimed that the Dartmouth depiction was not dishonoring and insulting, and thereby acknowledging that there are so many that are and have been in that category.

It is imperative that an inclusive committee be formed immediately and tasked to demonstrate the sincerity of those who promised to honor the indigenous tribes with more than a logo!

Betty Ussach,

Dartmouth