Editing Port Neches, Texas (section)

== Controversy ==
The Port Neches-Groves Independent School District has a long history involving its continued use of their mascot, the Indians, despite years of controversy and calls of racism. Their drill team performs wearing decorative war bonnets. Their chants include the words "Scalp 'em, Indians", their yearbook is the "War Whoop", their newspaper is called "The Pow Wow news" and their stadium is called "The Reservation."<ref>{{cite web |date=March 18, 2022 |title=Port Neches-Groves' performance at Walt Disney World reignites mascot controversy |url=https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/local/port-neches-groves-walt-disney-world-mascot-controversy/502-bd9c63f1-898a-4e97-99c8-b5aa1b9c9086 |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=12newsnow.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2020, the Cherokee Nation requested that the school stop using their mascot, rescinding an outdated approval given to the school from 1980.  Despite a nearly 150,000 signature petition requesting the name change, along with the request of the Cherokee Nation, the town voted to keep the mascot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=CHAD HUNTER |title=CN calls for retirement of Texas school's Indian mascot |url=https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/news/cn-calls-for-retirement-of-texas-schools-indian-mascot/article_f8b9679b-618b-55d0-9d92-a37e9741d882.html |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=cherokeephoenix.org |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, the Indianettes were filmed performing at Walt Disney World. According to Disney, when the school sent their audition video for approval, the Indianettes were not included and the school was instructed that their members could not wear their war bonnets during the performance. Their inclusion was not approved by Disney and was a decision made by the school.  During the performance at the park, the team shouted chants of "Scalp 'em" and enacted simulated war dances.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skinner |first=Paige |title=A Texas High School Drill Team Is Being Criticized For Doing A Racist Chant Against Native Americans During A Disney World Routine |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/paigeskinner/indianettes-disney-world-parade-chant |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=BuzzFeed News |language=en}}</ref> The school has not issued a statement though many residents have defended their actions and stand by their refusal to change.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Schaefer |title=Port Neches-Groves High's Cheerleaders Yell "Scalp 'em!" While Others Call Foul |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/news/calls-for-port-neches-groves-indian-mascot-to-be-retired-11487414 |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=Houston Press |language=en}}</ref>

After the performance, Cherokee Nation's Principal Chief, Chuck Hoskin Jr, released a statement once again requesting that the school remove the mascot stating: "Port Neches-Groves Independent School District continues to use offensive and stereotypical depictions of our tribe, and this is yet again exampled by their cheer team recently in Orlando. For the past couple of years, we have written to the Port Neches superintendent and school board asking them to cease using this offensive imagery, chanting, symbolism and other practices in their school traditions as this does nothing but dishonor us and all Native American tribes who are making great strides in this country. School leaders need educating on cultural appropriateness, should apologize for continuing to ignore our requests to stop and need to make swift changes to correct these offensive displays across their school district."<ref>{{cite web |date=March 19, 2022 |title='This does nothing but dishonor us' {{!}} Cherokee Nation Principal Chief responds to Port Neches-Groves' Disney World performance |url=https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/local/cherokee-nation-principal-chief-responds-port-neches-groves-disney-world-performance/502-4fff749a-079a-490f-853d-146c36289571 |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=12newsnow.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |title=Register |url-access=limited |user=cherokeenation |number=1504938370585309188 |url=https://twitter.com/cherokeenation/status/1504938370585309188 |access-date=2022-03-21 |language=en}}</ref>