In 1881, when Boise High opened its doors, the mascot was “The Braves”. Boise High School carried that name for 138 years. So why change it? What was the purpose? Did it make a difference?
On June 27th, 2019, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe(s) wrote to Superintendent Don Coberly and reminded the Boise School District of their “stringent opposition to the continued use of the name ‘Braves’ and the Native American imagery for Boise High School.” They reasoned that since Boise is located on traditional lands of the Shoshone, Bannock, and Paiute peoples, they don’t believe that the name or the images used to represent the “Braves” see the Native Americans accurately. The letter continued, “…these types of school labels, both names and images, propagate harmful attitudes and perceptions to and about Indian people…”
Considering what the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe(s) said, in August of 2019, the Boise School District announced that Boise High School would no longer be the “Braves.” From that time forward Boise High would be the Boise Brave. This was a big change for Boise, the alumni, the students, the staff, and many more.
A new logo was created, representing a shield around the letter B, with a Greek column along the spine of the B indicating strength and support, while also incorporating the school’s architecture. Around the B, there are olive laurels, which historically mean victory from civics to academics to athletics.
In 2023, the graduating class wanted a mascot that would represent our school, so in the school year of 2023-2024, the Bison was revealed as our new mascot. Three to four years before the mascot was announced, former principal Mr. Thompson, Boise Student Leadership, and members of the School District got together to explore the idea of a new logo that could represent BHS. This year, a costume mascot was introduced, which the students named Big Red. Now, we are the Boise Brave with a Bison as our mascot. Boise High Student, Grayson Porter, stated “I did not know that we have a mascot besides being a Brave.” Big Red is a super fun way to represent BHS, but let’s not forget why he was chosen. Ms. Watts, Boise High’s Principal says, “The American Bison was chosen as the representative of what it means to be BRAVE by the students a few years ago.”
This year, Brave Pride got a massive upgrade – a mascot costume, Big Red, who loves to support the school at games. He not only builds up excitement, but he represents what it means to be Brave including balance, resilience, acceptance, value, and engagement. For years members of the Boise community have asked, “What even IS the Brave?” And now, we can tell them.
