SB 163 Signed into Law Correcting a Wrong in Native American Self Expression

One year ago a young graduating Native American In Farmington, New Mexico, got a taste of adulthood slapping them in the face. A Hunkpapa Lakota student had her graduation cap, that she had adorned with a traditional feather plume,  removed by school administrators during her graduation ceremony. The incident, caught on video, prompted outrage and a rebuke from the Navajo Nation Council, and well enough it should have.

"No student in any school should be prohibited from wearing regalia that signifies their cultural and spiritual beliefs,” the council said. “These actions are belittling, humiliating, and demeaning to the student and her family. There is no place for this type of behavior in our educational systems. The school officials owe an apology to the student and her family.”

The Native American Rights Fund, a leading legal advocacy organization in Indian Country, has made it a priority to fight for students’ rights to wear regalia.

At schools around the state, a Christian child may add a cross to their lapel, or a patriotic child may add an American flag pen to their cap and gown but a Native American graduate was prohibited from adding a symbolic feather how is that possible? 

Last year NARF released a help sheet for students and parents – and school administrators – to navigate the issue. “Many Tribal Nations recognize leadership achievements by bestowing the person who earned the honor an eagle feather or plume,” the guidelines state. “While tribal religions and spiritual practices vary from each other, in general, a Native person who wears a plume or eagle feather at a public event has done something amazing to show that they have the maturity to pray and care for themselves and others. … This guide shares steps to help high school graduates successfully wear eagle feathers during their commencement ceremony.”

The wrong from the Farmington School District has been righted as on March 19, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation into law, ensuring students across New Mexico can freely express their cultural identity at school ceremonies.

“This legislation represents our commitment to honoring and respecting the rich cultural heritage of New Mexico’s Native communities,” said Lujan Grisham. “Every student deserves to celebrate their academic achievements in a way that honors their identity and traditions.”

The legislation passed unanimously through both chambers of the Legislature and took effect immediately after the governor signed it. New Mexico joins at least 19 other states that have enacted laws that enshrine Native students’ rights to express their cultural identities sartorially.

Education officials praised the new statute.

“(The bill) SB 163 is a significant step forward in honoring and respecting the cultural heritage of Native American students across New Mexico,” said Sec. Mariana Padilla of the New Mexico Public Education Department. “By ensuring their right to wear traditional regalia at school ceremonies, this bill affirms the importance of identity, culture, and self-expression of the nearly 40,000 Native American students enrolled in a public school across the state. Education should uplift and celebrate the rich traditions that make our communities stronger.”

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