Dartmouth Football Stadium Enshrines Wampanoag Indian Logo

It wasn't enough for Dartmouth voters to vote by a more than four-to-one margin in April to keep the Dartmouth Indians name and logo for the high school sports teams, but now the name and image have been enshrined at the Memorial Stadium football field on Slocum Road too.

A plaque unveiled during Friday night's game between the Dartmouth Indians and the Old Rochester Regional Bulldogs honoring the history of the Indian logo will be displayed on a stand at the entrance to Memorial Stadium until permanent placement.

The stadium is undergoing a multi-year renovation.

The logo, a rendering of a Wampanoag Indian warrior, was created in 1973 by Clyde Andrews, a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), a member of the Dartmouth High School Sports Hall of Fame.

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An iteration of the logo created in 1974 by Andrews is included on the plaque, and another plaque was unveiled during ceremonies the same day at Dartmouth High School.

Andrews and Tribal Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais were present for the ceremonies.

Dartmouth School Superintendent Dr. Bonnie Gifford tells me, "The plaques will display the Indian logo and include a write-up about the history of the logo. It is meant to show respect for our Native American neighbors."

Tribe member Jacob Ventura, a 2005 Dartmouth High graduate, supported the effort.

"I'm glad the community will finally have some finality on the issue of the Dartmouth Indian," he said. "After 81 percent of voters affirmed the symbol in a historic turnout this past April, the Indian is here to stay."

By the way, the Indians defeated the Bulldogs 24-21.