Dartmouth school officials, tribal members, and community leaders appeared in twin ceremonies at the high school and stadium on Friday, Sept. 23 to unveil a plaque honoring the history of the school’s Indian logo and the positive traits it is meant to represent.

“The symbol is an icon of respect, honor and strength — key characteristics by Dartmouth students,” the plaque reads. “The Dartmouth Indian symbol is a key tenet of our Dartmouth Pride.”

The plaque was officially unveiled in the high school atrium on Friday morning by School Committee Chair John Nunes and Clyde Andrews, a 1974 graduate of the school who designed the logo after the football team’s undefeated 1973 season.

“I think it’s an honor,” Andrews said as the veil was dropped to reveal the brass sign. “It’s humbling and I thank you.”

Also speaking at the event were Select Board Chair David Tatelbaum; Sean Carney, a New Bedford attorney and nephew of Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribal Chair Cheryl Andrews-Maltais; and Veterans Advisory Board Chair Chris Pereira.

The speakers kept their remarks short as the ceremony was not open to the public and attended mostly by school officials and members of the media.

Later on, the school held a public unveiling of the plaque at the Dartmouth High football game against Old Rochester.

During halftime of the game, school officials revealed a matching plaque that will be displayed at Dartmouth Memorial Football Stadium.

Speaking to the home-team stands, Tatelbaum extolled the work being done to make sure native heritage is properly represented in education and the town at large.

“This is a proud, proud moment for our town,” said Tatelbaum. “We have now pledged to honor the Native Americans in our history in a way that we have never done before — in our schools, in our town, in every corner.”

Andrews emphasized Dartmouth’s shared connection to the logo.

“This is for the town. This is for everybody,” Andrews said. “We’re all a part of this and it will be here forever.”

The new plaque was christened with a victory an hour later as the Dartmouth football team fended off a second half comeback from Old Rochester, winning the game 24-21.