After the June 16 Board of Regents meeting, members of the Native American community held a protest outside of Welch Hall.
Some held up signs saying “first nation, first people” while others gave speeches about why Eastern needs to change the way it handles race.
The protest was in response to President Susan Martin keeping the retired Huron emblem on the band uniforms and dismissing the incident that happened with the students who held a Native American-themed party on April 11.
“When we found out the Huron logo had come back and been put on the band uniforms, it raised our concerns with Susan Martin and her response was, ‘You should be thankful for what you have,’” said Christopher Sutton, a senior at EMU.
The speakers wanted to taint the legacy Martin is leaving behind.
“[Susan Martin] says the intent was to honor Eastern’s history, but it’s a racist history, an offensive history,” Sutton said. “What my goal at the meeting was today was to taint her legacy. She is leaving, stepping down so that this is no longer her problem.”
Davi Trusty also spoke about how he isn’t happy with how Martin is handling the situation.
“She wants to leave a legacy, I’m going to help her leave that legacy," Trusty said. "And I’m going to expose that legacy."
The Native American protestors were vocal about how offended they are over the resurrection of the Huron logo.
“Once they see a logo, something psychologically happens, and they decide to get violent with us we’re the ones who pay the price,” Trusty said.
“We explained to her that this logo is the equivalent to a Confederate flag,” said Sutton.
“Let the cameras take this message all over the planet: this campus is racist,” said Blackcrow, a Native American community member.
Trusty also spoke about the fear that comes with being a Native American.
“There are 300 and something Indians on this campus out of 30,000 people, and NASO is a membership of eight," he said. "And a reason for that is because we are so hated that we are afraid for ourselves to show up. That is the climate on this campus.”
The protest ended with Blackcrow playing a ceremonial drum song and thanking everyone who showed up to support them.
