Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia Behind New Push To Change Native American Mascots

DENVER (CBS4) - There's a new push to change Native American mascots in Colorado schools.

Native American groups believe school mascots such as the Lamar Savages and La Veta Redskins in Colorado are highly offensive. Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia agrees.

Garcia told The Durango Herald there are better ways to honor Native American culture. He's now working with the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs to establish a group that will work with schools to address the issue.

"We need to say to schools, 'Your name, your mascot isn't respectful and if you want to honor Native American culture in your community there are better ways to do that, and let us help you,'" Garcia said, according to The Durango Herald. "I think that would be less threatening and less coercive and hopefully more productive."