NISKAYUNA, N.Y. (NEWS10) — There's been much talk about mascot changes in the Capital Region, but what about town logos? Niskayuna is continuing the process of amending theirs to more accurately depict Native Americans.
The seal of Niskayuna bears nuclear power plants, pumpkins, a farmer, and a Native American. A few years ago town historian Denis Brennan pointed out a problem. The Native American on the seal — an Iroqoi — stands in front of a tipi, they actually lived in longhouses. So in 2022, Nisky’s town council formed what they call a "working group" to explore changing the logo.
“We decided to work on a design to ultimately, with the hope, to unify the way the town represents itself," said working group member Marie Bosman.
Speaking of unification, or lack thereof, the town currently uses three logos. The aforementioned original which inaccurately depicts an indigenous man. One with corn, omitting the native, that was made in the 90s to coincide with the opening of the current town hall. And the town seal which depicts a field.
”We wanted to bring everything under one design idea so that in case there's other pieces of symbolism, that we haven't picked up on, anything in it isn't appropriate, that we just get rid of all of that” Bossman explained.
Rather than asking residents to send in visual ideas, the council sent out a survey asking what Nisky means to them in hopes of incorporating those ideas into the new logo. Their ideas:
“Family, our parks, and our nature and green space and our schools” Councilman Jason Moskowitz told NEWS10. "Community feedback that we had was incredible. The response rate was way more than I could've hoped or ever thought of," he continued via phone.
Officials are working with a design firm for the new logo, they hope to have one ready between June and July.
“I think it'll be great knowing that the logo that represents our town, the community contributed so much to that, and that it accurately depicts our community’s thoughts” Moskowitz added. “We have a community that also knows who we are at the moment, and that we should also know who do we want to be” Bossman went on.
