The Infamous Yakoo of North Quincy High

The controversial mascot is more prominent now than ever.

By Kuan Lee

Oct 18, 2018

QUINCY - North Quincy High School, a school that may be described as the epitome of hard work and academic excellence, is also the subject of constant controversy. The controversy surrounds its infamous mascot, the Yakoo. A school proud of their athletics and ROTC program, quite obviously, should idolize the mascot; yet, the Yakoo has been subject to a decade's worth of calls for change.

The Yakoo is modeled after a Native American warrior, or as the school calls it, a “Red Raider.” The Yakoo is often illustrated holding a tomahawk in one hand and a spear in another. The mascot is finished off with feathers gracing its head. Critics insist these physical descriptions are indeed racist and should therefore, be changed.

As one teacher states, "It promotes a negative stereotype and that should not happen in an educational community.”

However, many alumni of North Quincy High maintain the Yakoo is a caricature of Dr. Yacubian, a former student of North Quincy. Dr. Yacubian has donated thousands upon thousands of dollars to his former school.

Another teacher of North Quincy High explains the history behind the Yakoo. When Dr. Yacubian was a student, there was a contest of making the next school mascot. Dr. Yacubian was inspired by the childhood game he played, Cowboys and Indians, to make the design. He dressed as the “Indian” and his friend drew up the sketch. The mascot has remained the same since its conception.

Recently, athletics, ROTC, and student government have not been able to use the mascot for logos on shirts, athletic gear, and other merchandise. This has caused some outrage for many students.

Jonathan Knowles, proud member of the school’s football team and vice president of the senior class states, “It tarnishes the school’s tradition. The fact that we have built our tradition off one mascot and now we are unable to use it, is ridiculous.”

Exactly how ridiculous is the ban of the mascot? I dove deeper and interviewed two Native American organizations in the greater Boston area.

The North American Indian Center states that they do find the mascot offensive, but do not believe the city will change the mascot. Their spokesperson believed the city spent too much money on the Yakoo for actual changes to come through.

The Native American Lifelines spokesperson said that she does find the mascot offensive. To quote her, “What are we ingraining for school spirit.” She challenges the people that claim we are honoring Native Americans with our mascot. She also poses the feeling of anguish when driving around and finding a caricature of her heritage on a stranger’s car.

Whether the model is meant to be offensive or not, the offense is there. Real life Native Americans have said it. What do we gain from keeping the Yakoo? If the only gain is school spirit, is it really worth keeping?