Highlights
- The U.S. Department of Education has referred New York’s education officials to the Department of Justice over a controversial ban on Native American mascots.
- The federal government argues the ban violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by discriminating based on race and national origin.
- New York officials maintain their ban is intended to promote inclusivity and reject it as a political maneuver.
- The Massapequa School District and Native American Guardians Association support preserving Native imagery as a form of cultural respect.
- The issue highlights broader tensions between efforts to remove stereotypical representations and arguments for preserving heritage.
The U.S. Department of Education has formally referred a civil rights dispute involving the New York State Department of Education and the Board of Regents to the Department of Justice, escalating a conflict over the state’s prohibition of Native American-themed school mascots.
The referral follows New York’s refusal to comply with a proposed Resolution Agreement that would have resolved alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Why the U.S. Is Upset About the Ban on Native Mascots
The dispute centers on the Massapequa School District’s use of the “Chiefs” mascot, referencing the local Massapequa Tribe. State officials mandated the district to remove the mascot under a policy banning Indigenous imagery.
However, the federal Department of Education found the rule discriminatory, noting that mascots referencing other racial or ethnic origins, like the “Dutchmen” and “Huguenots,” were still permitted.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon criticized the policy as “absurd,” asserting it disrespected the people of Massapequa. “We will not allow New York State to silence the voices of Native Americans,” she said during a recent visit to Massapequa High School.
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New York Says the Ban Is About Respect and Inclusion
New York State officials reject the federal findings. In a statement, NYDE spokesperson JP O’Hare dismissed the investigation as “a farce” and accused the Department of Education of political interference.
O’Hare defended the state’s policy as an effort to foster inclusive school environments, describing Indigenous mascots as “indolent symbolism masquerading as tradition.”
He also noted that 727 school districts have already engaged in renaming processes, with only a few seeking extensions.
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What Local People and Native American Groups Are Saying
Local support for the “Chiefs” mascot remains strong. The Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) has backed the district, with Vice President Frank Blackcloud stating, “Preservation of Native themes and imagery is a matter of cultural dignity and a civil right.”
Massapequa Board President Kerry Watcher echoed this sentiment, thanking NAGA and federal officials for standing against what she called a distraction from educational priorities.
As the issue now moves to the Department of Justice, it underscores a broader national debate over how best to balance cultural heritage and racial sensitivity in public education.
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