Originally published in Campus Reform

Maine is the first state in the country to ban any public universities from having a mascot that “depicts or refers to a Native American tribe, individual, custom or tradition.”

Maine Democrat Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill into law Thursday banning Native American mascot depictions in public schools, including K-12 and public colleges and universities, according to the Bangor Daily News.

“A public school may not have or adopt a name, symbol or image that depicts or refers to a Native American tribe, individual, custom or tradition and that is used as a mascot, nickname, logo, letterhead or team name of the school,” the text of the bill reads.

“While Indian mascots were often originally chosen to recognize and honor a school’s unique connection to Native American communities in Maine, we have heard clearly and unequivocally from Maine tribes that they are a source of pain and anguish. A mascot is a symbol of pride, but it is not the source of pride. Our people, communities understanding and respect for one another are Maine’s source of pride and it is time our symbols reflect that,” Mills said in a statement.

The bill will take effect 90 days after the state legislature adjourns. The move by the Democrat governor comes less than one month after Mills signed a bill to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People’s Day, as the Bangor Daily News also reported.

Both pieces of legislation were introduced by state Rep. Ben Collings, a Democrat.

Maine isn’t the only part of the country pushing to ban mascots deemed offensive by some.

In late March, students at George Washington University in the nation’s capital voted in favor of banning the school’s “Colonial” mascot.

Columbus Day, more so than Thanksgiving, has faced scrutiny on college campuses as multiple schools now recognize “Indigenous People’s Day,” rather than Columbus Day. Syracuse University, University of Alaska Southeast, University of Oklahoma, University of New Mexico, and Ivy League Brown University are just some of the colleges to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People’s Day.