Some Oregon schools may be keeping their Native American mascots

Ore. — After years of controversy, some Oregon schools may be able to keep their Native American mascots.

On Thursday the State Board of Education approved to allow schools to keep the mascots with tribal permission. That affects several schools in the Rogue Valley, including the Rogue River High Chieftains, Fort Vannoy Elementary Indians, and Fleming Middle School Rogues.

Back in 2012, the board told schools to change their mascots by 2017 or risk losing state funding.

Then in 2014, the state legislature approved a measure that would allow schools to keep their mascot with tribal approval.