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University of Denver moniker controversy

The school has identified itself as the Pioneers since 1925. Previous mascots were the Fighting Parsons/Fighting Ministers (1919-1925), Pioneer Pete (1925 to 1968), Denver Boone (1968 to 1998), and Ruckus the red-tailed hawk (1998 to 2007). A 2013 task force generated three new mascot options, but none of them carried enough votes from the university community to merit selection. University administrators began to phase out the Daniel Boone mascot in 1984, due to "male gender stereotyping and its specifically western symbolism," and in 1999 Chancellor Dan Richie began the transition away from Boone to Ruckus.

Despite the removal of the pioneer as the mascot, the University maintains pioneers as the moniker for its athletics and general university representation. The use of the Pioneers moniker has generated controversy among faculty, staff, and students. The university founder territorial governor John Evans was found culpable in the Sand Creek Massacre. In November 1864, white settlers attacked the Cheyenne and Arapahoe people in the area, killing mostly women, children, and elders. DU has deep ties to the Sand Creek Massacre. Not only was John Evans the founder of the university, Colonel John Chivington who led the attack was also one of the early donors and Board of Trustees members. In 2014, the John Evans Study Committee Report was produced and found Evans culpable for the massacre, given his "aggressively anti-Native rhetoric and actions leading up to the massacre."

The scholars in the Evans Committee recommended removing the pioneers moniker, as it glorified the violent legacy of settler colonialism that was speficially perpetrated against Native peoples in the area. Since the university is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the report argues that removing this horrific reminder is necessary. "Instead of asking Native community members whose ancestors were sacrificed before the march of American settler pioneers to sacrifice yet again for the sake of our 'brand,' the University of Denver should finally lay the Pioneer moniker to rest."

In 2016 and 2017, students demanded change from the university administration. In October 2017, the Native Student Alliance organization started the #NoMorePios movement. During the civil rights uprising in summer 2020, a new student group called Righteous Anger! Healing Resistance! came together to demand the removal of the pioneers moniker and other actions that would support students from marginalized communities.

Resistance to removing the moniker has come from alumni who are attached to the name. They have been supported by Chancellor Haefner, who has made a final decision to keep the moniker.

Denver Pioneers page

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The use of the Pioneers moniker has generated controversy among faculty, staff, and students. The university founder territorial governor John Evans was found culpable in the Sand Creek Massacre.

The scholars in the Evans Committee recommended removing the pioneers moniker, as it glorified the violent legacy of settler colonialism that was speficially perpetrated against Native peoples in the area. Since the university is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the report argues that removing this horrific reminder is necessary. "Instead of asking Native community members whose ancestors were sacrificed before the march of American settler pioneers to sacrifice yet again for the sake of our 'brand,' the University of Denver should finally lay the Pioneer moniker to rest."

In 2016 and 2017, students demanded change from the university administration. In October 2017, the Native Student Alliance organization started the #NoMorePios movement. During the civil rights uprising in summer 2020, a new student group called Righteous Anger! Healing Resistance! came together to demand the removal of the pioneers moniker and other actions that would support students from marginalized communities.