Paul Ericson
Field Director Indianhead Council BSA
393 Marshall Ave.
St. Paul, Minnesota 55102




My name is xxxxxxxxxx and I am American Indian Culture Advisor for Agaming Lodge. My role in the Lodge is in addition to working with the ceremony teams is to provide accurate information, etc about the cultures of the First Nations in North America. The reason for this letter is to urge you to encourage the new "Manitou" District to reconsider its choice of names. It seems a poor choice given the councils policy to de-emphasize the Indian and all related symbolism. It was also my understanding that the council did not want its districts to adopt "Indian" related names. I realize that this name, which means spirit in the Ojibwe language, has little significance to most non Indians but, my concern is that some time in the near future someone will take offense at it and make a issue about it. In Minnesota this has already happened! The state board of education has outlawed the use of Indian names for the school mascots for just this reason. There were many schools who had to create new nicknames etc. for their schools because someone complained that it was offensive. Many American Indian parents jumped on this band wagon and they have every right to do it. Their logic is that is demeans and degrades THEIR culture! The American Indian Movement is trying to do the same to major league sports teams, and many colleges which have American Indian Student Associations are doing like wise! In the interest of being pro-active, politically correct, and culturally sensitive I would urge you to have them reconsider their choice. Thank you for your time in this matter.