Fresno Unified changes mascots to comply with new state law. What schools are impacted?
Fresno Unified School District replaced the mascots at three schools to comply with new state laws that restrict the use of Native American-related mascots, team names, and nicknames in California public schools.
The Tenaya Middle School Braves become the Titans, the Tioga Middle School Tomahawks are now the Hawks, and the Lowell Elementary School Warriors are renamed the Lions, the district announced on Monday.
The changes are to comply with Assembly Bill 3074, a state law passed in 2024 that prohibits K-12 public schools from using the derogatory Native American terms as a school mascot or athletic team name. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, which makes Fresno Unified one of the last districts to revise the mascots before the deadline.
The new mandate, however, also leaves an exception that if the public school receives a written consent from a local, federally recognized tribe, it may keep the name and the mascot.
In December 2025, Clark Intermediate School from Clovis Unified School District was allowed to retain its beloved mascot, the chieftain, with a consent letter issued by the largest local tribe, the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, The Bee previously reported.
Sanger High School also took a similar approach and was able to keep its mascot, the Apaches.
Fresno Unified said the mascot-changing decision was made by the school communities. The district formed a dedicated committee and gathered multiple rounds of feedback from students, families, and staff throughout the process.
“The mascot selection process became a meaningful opportunity for our school community to learn more about different cultures, perspectives and the impact that names and symbols can have on others,” said Ryan Duff, principal at Tenaya Middle School. “We were especially intentional about listening to our Native American students and families, whose perspectives helped deepen our understanding and guide the process.”
Jennifer Her-Yang, principal at Lowell Elementary School, said students have been at the center of the process, which has helped them develop a sense of ownership and pride in attending the school.
